Definitions for: Secant

[n] ratio of the hypotenuse to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle
[n] a straight line that intersects a curve at two or more points

Webster (1913) Definition: Se"cant, a. [L. secans, -antis, p. pr. of secare to
cut. See Section.]
Cutting; divivding into two parts; as, a secant line.

Secant, n. [Cf. F. s['e]cante. See Secant, a.]
1. (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 line of this line to the radius of the circle.
See Trigonometrical function, under Function.

Synonyms: sec

See Also: circular function, straight line, trigonometric function

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