directrix

di·rec·trix
D2I1R1E1C3T1R1I1X8
UK/dɪˈɹɛk.tɹɪks/UK/-ˈɹek-/UK/daɪ̯-/UK/dʌɪ̯-/

noun

A line used to define a curve or surface; especially a line, the distance from which a point on a conic has a constant ratio to that from the focus.

OriginLatin dīrēctrīx →
Scrabble 19
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Meanings

noundirectrix (plural directrixes or directrices)

plural directrixes · plural directrices · alternative directrice

  1. feminineFemale equivalent of director.
  2. geometryA line used to define a curve or surface; especially a line, the distance from which a point on a conic has a constant ratio to that from the focus.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
directress

Origin

  1. Latindīrēctrīx
  2. Latindīrēctrīx
  3. Englishdirectrix

Learned borrowing from Latin dīrēctrīx. By surface analysis, direct + -trix.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Dutch richtlijn
  • richtlijna line used to define a curve or surface
Finnish johtosuora
  • johtosuoraa line used to define a curve or surface
French directrice
  • directricea line used to define a curve or surface
Greek διευθετούσα
  • διευθετούσα (diefthetoúsa)a line used to define a curve or surface
Polish kierownica
  • kierownicaa line used to define a curve or surface
Spanish directriz
  • directriza line used to define a curve or surface
Tamil இயக்குவரை
  • இயக்குவரை (iyakkuvarai)a line used to define a curve or surface

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

creditrix
Cite this entry
APA

directrix. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/directrix

MLA

“directrix.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/directrix. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “directrix,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/directrix.

Source: directrix on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.