Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Secant
Se′cant
(sē′kănt)
, Adj.
Cutting; dividing into two parts;
as, a
. secant
line1.
(Geom.)
A line that cuts another; especially, a straight line cutting a curve in two or more points.
2.
(Trig.)
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
. Webster 1828 Edition
Secant
SE'CANT
,Adj.
SE'CANT
,Noun.
1. In geometry, a line that cuts another, or divides it into parts. The secant of a circle is a line drawn from the circumference on one side, to a point without the circumference on the other, In trigonometry, a secant is a right line drawn from the center of a circle, which, cutting the circumference, proceeds till it meets with a tangent to the same circle.
2. In trigonometry, the secant of an arc is a right line drawn from the center through one end of the arc, and terminated by a tangent drawn through the other end.
Definition 2024
secant
secant
See also: sécant
English
Noun
secant (plural secants)
- (geometry) A straight line that intersects a curve at two or more points.
- (trigonometry) In a right triangle, the reciprocal of the cosine of an angle. Symbol: sec
Related terms
Translations
in geometry
in trigonometry
External links
- secant in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- secant in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911