Meanings
plural versed sines
- mathematicsThe trigonometric function 1 − cos(x).
But if the given arch exceed 90°, find the natural co-sine of its supplement, which add to 1000000, and the sum will be the natural versed sine required.
1805, John William Norie, A New and Complete Epitome of Practical Navigation, page xxii2 more examples
For the divisions, to be laid on this line, are the differences between the logarithm versed sine of 180°, and the logarithm versed sines of the successive arcs.
1753, John Robertson, “The Construction of the Logarithmic Lines on the Gunter′s Scale”, in Philosophical Transactions: 1750-1755, Great Britain: Royal Society, page 340The Natural Sines in this table are fractions (radius being unit); and are particularly adapted to Dunthorne′s and other methods of clearing the moon′s distance from the effects of parallax and refraction, where natural sines or versed sines are used ;[…].
1806, John Garnett, Tables Requisite To Be Used with The Nautical Ephemeris, page 41
Synonyms & antonyms
Origin
From New Latin sinus versus (“flipped sine”); the sine function being sometimes called sinus rectus.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Finnish versini
- versinifunction 1 − cos
German Versinus, Sinus versus
- Versinusfunction 1 − cos
- Sinus versusfunction 1 − cos
Greek παρημίτονο
- παρημίτονο (parimítono)function 1 − cos
Italian senoverso
- senoversofunction 1 − cos
Spanish seno verso
- seno versofunction 1 − cos
Cite this entry
versed sine. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/versed%20sine
“versed sine.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/versed%20sine. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “versed sine,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/versed%20sine.
Source: versed sine on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.