secant Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a straight line that intersects a curve at two or more points
  2. noun ratio of the hypotenuse to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle
    sec.

WordNet

Se"cant adjective
Etymology
L. secans, -antis, p.pr. of secare to cut. See Section.
Definitions
  1. Cutting; divivding into two parts; as, a secant line.
Secant noun
Etymology
Cf. F. sécante. See Secant, a.
Definitions
  1. (Geom.) A line that cuts another; especially, a straight line cutting a curve in two or more points.
  2. (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 line of this line to the radius of the circle. See Trigonometrical function, under Function.

Webster 1913