Definition of "axis" []

• A straight line about which a body or geometric object rotates or may be conceived to rotate. (noun)
• Mathematics An unlimited line, half-line, or line segment serving to orient a space or a geometric object, especially a line about which the object is symmetric. (noun)
• Mathematics A reference line from which distances or angles are measured in a coordinate system. (noun)
• A center line to which parts of a structure or body may be referred. (noun)
• An imaginary line to which elements of a work of art, such as a picture, are referred for measurement or symmetry. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The Axis of the Abhorred: North Korea, Iran and the United States yahooBuzzArticleHeadline = 'The Axis of the Abhorred: North Korea, Iran and the United States'; yahooBuzzArticleSummary = 'Article: Move over axis of evil, there is a new axis in town, the \'axis of the abhorred."
• ""Faith! if the life we live is like the globe we inhabit -- if it revolves on its own axis, _and you're that axis_ -- there's not a flaw in your philosophy; but IF -- Now perish my impetuosity!"
• "Unfortunately the gut-brain axis is so interrelated, it is not surprising that these drugs have negative psych side effects!"