⏾ Concept Map

''axis'' ⚬ Entries

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''axis'' ⚬｜Definition｜1st｜20260511125940-00-⌔

axis - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

Noun

axis (plural axes or (rare) axiis)

  • (geometry) An imaginary line around which an object spins (an axis of rotation) or is symmetrically arranged (an axis of symmetry).
    • ✤ A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place.1
    • ✤ *The Earth rotates once a day on its axis *
  • (mathematics) A fixed one-dimensional figure, such as a line or arc, with an origin and orientation and such that its points are in one-to-one correspondence with a set of numbers; an axis forms part of the basis of a space or is used to position and locate data in a graph (a coordinate axis)
  • (anatomy) The second cervical vertebra of the spine
    • ✤ Synonym: epistropheus
  • (anatomy) An imaginary, visualized plane separating two morphologically similar parts of an organism
  • (psychiatry) A form of classification and descriptions of mental disorders or disabilities used in manuals such as the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
  • (botany) The main stem or central part about which organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged
  • (military) An alliance or coalition.
    • ✤ Synonyms: pact, compact, league
    • ✤ This Berlin-Rome vertical line is not an obstacle but rather an axis around which can revolve all those European states with a will to collaboration and peace.2
  • (figurative) The centre of attention within a process (e.g. the axis of investigation)

Noun

axis (plural axises)

  • A deer native to Asia, of species Axis axis.
    • ✤ Synonyms: chital, cheetal, chital deer, spotted deer, axis deer

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA: /ˈæksɪs/
  • (General American, Canada, Australian) IPA: /ˈæksɪs/, /ˈæksəs/
  • (New Zealand) IPA: /ˈɛksəs/
  • Rhymes: -æksɪs, -æksəs
  • Hyphenation: ax‧is

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Latin axis (“axle, axis”) in the 16th century. Via Latin cognate with ala, aisle, atelier. Via Proto-Indo-European ﹡h₂eḱs- cognate with inherited English axle and borrowed axo-, axon.

Etymology 2

From Latin, name of an Indian animal mentioned by the Roman senator Pliny.

Printed 2026-06-28.

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Footnotes

  1. 2012 March, Henry Petroski, “Opening Doors”, in American Scientist ‎, volume 100, number 2, pages 112–3: ↩

  2. 1936, November 1st, Benito Mussolini, Milan Speech: ↩

Link to original

Secondary

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