cosecant

noun

co·​se·​cant (ˌ)kō-ˈsē-ˌkant How to pronounce cosecant (audio)
-kənt
1
: a trigonometric function that for an acute angle is the ratio between the hypotenuse of a right triangle of which the angle is considered part and the leg opposite the angle
2
: a trigonometric function csc θ that is the reciprocal of the sine for all real numbers θ for which the sine is not zero and that is exactly equal to the cosecant of an angle of measure θ in radians

Word History

Etymology

New Latin cosecant-, cosecans, from co- + secant-, secans secant

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cosecant was circa 1706

Dictionary Entries Near cosecant

Cite this Entry

“Cosecant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosecant. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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