a. 正割的

n. 割线, 正割

Secant \Se"cant\ (s[=e]"k[a^]nt), a. [L. secans, -antis, p. pr.
of secare to cut. See {Section}.]
Cutting; dividing into two parts; as, a secant line.


Secant \Secant\, n. [Cf. F. s['e]cante. See {Secant}, a.]
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 of this line to the radius of the circle. See
{Trigonometrical function}, under {Function}.