ORDINATE

(Lat. ordino, / arrange.) In Geometry, a straight line drawn from any point in a curve perpendicularly to another straight line, which is called the absci . {See Absci .) The absci and ordinate together are called the co-ordinates of the point. The situation of a point in a plane is determined when its distances from two straight lines in the same plane are known; and, wlien a series of points are so situated in respect of each other that the co-ordinates of each have the same mathematical relation, these points form a curve, the nature of which is expre ed by the relation of the co-ordinates. See Co-ordinates. [s. 867]