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Axis

//ˈæksɪs// name, noun

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    The alliance (in effect before and during World War II) of Germany, Italy, Japan, and several minor allied countries, which opposed the Allies.
Noun
  1. 1
    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."

  2. 2
    A deer native to Asia, of species Axis axis.
  3. 3
    the center around which something rotates wordnet
  4. 4
    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)
  5. 5
    the 2nd cervical vertebra; serves as a pivot for turning the head wordnet
Show 10 more definitions
  1. 6
    The second cervical vertebra of the spine
  2. 7
    a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions wordnet
  3. 8
    An imaginary, visualized plane separating two morphologically similar parts of an organism
  4. 9
    a group of countries in special alliance wordnet
  5. 10
    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)
  6. 11
    in World War II the alliance of Germany and Italy in 1936 which later included Japan and other nations wordnet
  7. 12
    The main stem or central part about which organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged
  8. 13
    the main stem or central part about which plant organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged wordnet
  9. 14
    An alliance or coalition.

    "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."

  10. 15
    The centre of attention within a process (e.g. the axis of investigation) figuratively

Etymology

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.

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