A line that cuts another; especially, a straight line cutting a curve in two or more points. [1913 Webster]
A right line drawn from the center of a circle through one end of a circular arc, and terminated by a tangent drawn from the other end; the number expressing the ratio of this line to the radius of the circle. See Trigonometrical function, under Function. [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

secant, adj. & n. Math.
--adj. cutting (secant line).
--n.
1 a line cutting a curve at one or more points.
2 the ratio of the hypotenuse to the shorter side adjacent to an acute angle (in a right-angled triangle).

Usage

Abbr.: sec.

Etymology

F s{eacute}cant(e) f. L secare secant- cut

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THESAURUS

secant

air line, axis, beeline, chiasmal, chiasmic, chiastic, chord, crisscross, cross, crosscut, crossed, crossing, cut across, decussate, decussated, diagonal, diameter, direct line, directrix, edge, great-circle course, intersected, intersecting, normal, perpendicular, radius, radius vector, right line, segment, shortcut, side, straight, straight course, straight line, straight stretch, straightaway, streamline, tangent, transversal, vector

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ROGET THESAURUS

secant

Disjunction

N disjunction, disconnection, disunity, disunion, disassociation, disengagement, discontinuity, abjunction, cataclasm, inconnection, abstraction, abstractedness, isolation, insularity, insulation, oasis, island, separateness, severalty, disjecta membra, dispersion, apportionment, separation, parting, circumcision, detachment, segregation, divorce, sejunction, seposition, diduction, diremption, discerption, elision, caesura, break, fracture, division, subdivision, rupture, compartition, dismemberment, dislocation, luxation, severance, disseverance, scission, rescission, abscission, laceration, dilaceration, disruption, abruption, avulsion, divulsion, section, resection, cleavage, fission, partibility, separability, fissure, breach, rent, split, rift, crack, slit, incision, dissection anatomy, decomposition, cutting instrument, buzzsaw, circular saw, rip saw, separatist, disjoined, discontinuous, multipartite, abstract, disjunctive, secant, isolated, insular, separate, disparate, discrete, apart, asunder, far between, loose, free, unattached, unannexed, unassociated, unconnected, distinct, adrift, straggling, rift, reft, scissile, divisible, discerptible, partible, separable, separately, one by one, severally, apart, adrift, asunder, in twain, in the abstract, abstractedly.

Crossing

N crossing, intersection, interdigitation, decussation, transversion, convolution, level crossing, reticulation, network, inosculation, anastomosis, intertexture, mortise, net, plexus, web, mesh, twill, skein, sleeve, felt, lace, wicker, mat, matting, plait, trellis, wattle, lattice, grating, grille, gridiron, tracery, fretwork, filigree, reticle, tissue, netting, mokes, rivulation, cross, chain, wreath, braid, cat's cradle, knot, entangle, cloth, linen, muslin, cambric, crossing, crossed, matted, v, transverse, cross, cruciform, crucial, retiform, reticular, reticulated, areolar, cancellated, grated, barred, streaked, textile, crossbarred, cruciate, palmiped, secant, web-footed, cross, thwart, athwart, transversely, at grade, crosswise.

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