How to pronounce abscissa
Say it like ab-SIS-uh. Abscissa has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abscissa. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ab
- SIS
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abscissa pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- abKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- SISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of abscissa
American and British speakers say abscissa in essentially the same way: /æbˈsɪsə/ in the US and /æbˈsɪsə/ in the UK.
British respelling: ab-SIS-uh.
What does abscissa mean?
- The first of the two terms by which a point is referred to, in a system of fixed rectilinear coordinate (Cartesian coordinate) axes.“The point (3,2) has 3 as its abscissa and 2 as its ordinate.”
- The horizontal line representing an axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, on which the abscissa (sense above) is shown.
Where does abscissa come from?
By ellipsis from Latin [linea] abscissa, feminine of abscissus, perfect passive participle of abscindō (“cut off”).
Words that rhyme with abscissa
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of abscissa.
Questions about saying abscissa
How do you pronounce abscissa?
Say ab-SIS-uh. The American pronunciation is /æbˈsɪsə/. In British English it is /æbˈsɪsə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abscissa?
Abscissa has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SIS). Broken into parts: ab · SIS · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say abscissa the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /æbˈsɪsə/ and the British form is /æbˈsɪsə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.