GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Secant , a. [L. secans, -antis, p. pr. of secare to cut. See Section.] Cutting; dividing into two parts; as, a secant line.
   1913 Webster
         
       

2.       
   Secant, n. [Cf. F. sécante. See Secant, a.]
   (Geom.) A line that cuts another; especially, a straight line cutting a curve in two or more points.
   1913 Webster
   (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.
   1913 Webster