SECANT

secant, sec

(noun) ratio of the hypotenuse to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle

secant

(noun) a straight line that intersects a curve at two or more points

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

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

Adjective

secant (not comparable)

That cuts or divides.

Anagrams

• ascent, casten, enacts, scante, stance

Source: Wiktionary

Se"cant, a. Etym: [L. secans, -antis, p.pr. of secare to cut. See Section.]

Definition: Cutting; divivding into two parts; as, a secant line.

Secant, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sécante. See Secant, a.]

1. (Geom.)

Definition: A line that cuts another; especially, a straight line cutting a curve in two or more points.

2. (Trig.)

Definition: 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 line of this line to the radius of the circle. See Trigonometrical function, under Function.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition