directrix

English

Etymology

Latin directrix; equivalent to direct +‎ -trix

Noun
In this picture of an ellipse, a parabola, and an hyperbola, the black line is their shared directrix.

directrix (plural directrixes or directrices)

  1. A female who directs; a directress.
  2. (geometry) A line used to define a curve or surface; especially a line, the distance from which a point on a conic has a constant ratio to that from the focus.

Derived terms
  • conic section directrix
  • graph directrix
  • ruled surface directrix

Translations
a female who directs — see directress

Anagrams
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