Absciss, or Abscissa

[Lat. ab scindo, I cut off.] ( Geom. ) A segment cut off from a straight line, by an ordinate to a curve. The position of a point on a plane is perfectly determined when its distances, measured in given directions, from two straight lines given by position, are Absolutist, n. One who is a partisan of despotism. known; and as curve lines may be regarded as formed by Absolutory, a. That absolves; absolving; absolvatory. the continuous motion of a point, their various properties Absolvable, a. That may be absolved. may be investigated by means of the relation common to Absol'vatory, a. Relating to pardon; forgiving; aball points of the same curve between the two distances solutory. so measured. Thus, let A B and AC be two straight Absolve', v. a. [Lat. absolvere.] To clear, to acquit of a lines given by position, and Pany point in a curve X Y. Draw P Q parallel to A C, and meeting A Bin Q, then PQ is called the ordinate of the point P, and AQ is the absci . C A P X Q B Absci ion, n. The act of cutting off, or the state of being cut off. crime, in a judicial sense; - to set free from an engage- ment or promise; to pronounce a sin remitted, in the ecclesiastical sense. Absolv'er, a. One who absolves. Ab's onant, a. [Lat. absonans.] Discordant; contrary; opposed to consonant. Absonous, a . [Lat. absonus .] Unmusical;-absurd; contrary; as, absonous to our reason. Absorb', v. a. [Fr. absorber .] To swallow up; to suck up; to imbibe; as a sponge; - to engage wholly; to en- gro ; as, absorbed in busine . ( Rhet .) A figure of speech. when, having begun to say a thing, a speaker stops abruptly, as supposing the mat- ter sufficiently understood. Thus, "He is a man of so much honor and candor, and such generosity.... but I Absorbability, n. A state or quality of being ab- need say no more." Abscond', v. a. [Lat. abscond ere, to hide.] To hide one's self; to retire from the public view; generally used of persons in debt, or criminals eluding the law. Abscond'ence, n. Concealment. (0.) Abscond'er, n. One who absconds. Abscota, a post-office of Calhoun co., Michigan, 120 miles W. of Detroit. Absecum, Absecom, a post-village of Atlantic co., New Jersey, on a creek of the same name, 2 miles from Absecum bay, 75 miles S. of Trenton. Ab's enco, n. [Fr. absence .] The state of being absent, opposed to presence; - inattention, heedle ne , neglect of the present object. "I continued my walk, reflecting on the little absences and distractions of mankind."- Add is on . (Law.) Want of appearance. sorbable.