Etymology

abscissa

ab·scis·sa
A1B3S1C3I1S1S1A1

Today it means: The first of the two terms by which a point is referred to, in a system of fixed rectilinear coordinate (Cartesian coordinate) axes. Full definition →

First used First attested in the late 17ᵗʰ century.
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The story

By ellipsis from Latin [linea] abscissa, feminine of abscissus, perfect passive participle of abscindō (“cut off”). See abscind.

First known use, by meaning

  • First attested in the late 17ᵗʰ century. The first of the two terms by which a point is referred to, in a system of fixed rectilinear coordinate (Cartesian coordinate) axes.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.