ORDINATE

(Lat. ordir.o, / arrange.) In Geometry, straight line drawn from any point in a curve perpendicularly to another straight line, which is called the absci . Absci .) The absci and ordinate together are called co-ordina'es of the point. The situation of a point in a is determined when its distances from two straight in the same plane are known; and, when a series of are so situated in respect of each other that the coordinates of each have the same mathematical relation, (joints form a curve, the nature of which is expre ed the relation of the co-ordinates. See Co-ordinates. [s. 873]