rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryordinateVertical coordinate
noun

ordinate

OR-dih-nut/ˈɔːrdɪnət/

A coordinate specifying a point’s position along the vertical axis.

The ordinate gives the point’s height above the horizontal axis.

A precise Cartesian graph with thin black perpendicular axes and red point above right of origin, a horizontal dashed line from point to vertical axis and red vertical bracket highlighting its height on vertical axis.
Etymology
ordinareLatinto arrange; appoint

The evidence traces an adjective meaning “regular” and a verb meaning “arrange,” but does not establish how ordinate came to name a point's vertical coordinate.

More examples

  • Every point on the horizontal axis has an ordinate of zero.
  • Points below the horizontal axis have negative ordinates.
  • These two points share an ordinate but have different horizontal coordinates.

Forms

ordinate · ordinates

Similar words

y-coordinate
Names the same vertical value in standard Cartesian coordinates.