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Etymology 1[edit]

From Latin axis ‎(axis", "axle).


axis ‎(plural axes)

  1. (geometry) An imaginary line around which an object spins (an axis of rotation) or is symmetrically arranged (an axis of symmetry).
    • 2012 March 1, Henry Petroski, “Opening Doors”[1], American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 112-3:
    The Earth rotates once a day on its axis
  2. (mathematics) A fixed one-dimensional figure, such as a line or arc, with an origin and orientation and such that its points are in one-to-one correspondence with a set of numbers; an axis forms part of the basis of a space or is used to position and locate data in a graph (a coordinate axis)
  3. (anatomy) The second cervical vertebra of the spine
  4. (psychiatry) A form of classification and descriptions of mental disorders or disabilities used in manuals such as the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
  5. (botany) The main stem or central part about which organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged
Coordinate terms[edit]
  • (cervical vertebra): atlas
Derived terms[edit]
Related terms[edit]

Etymology 2[edit]

From Latin, name of an Indian animal mentioned by the Roman senator Pliny.


axis ‎(plural axises)

  1. Axis axis, a deer native to Asia.
See also[edit]



From Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs- ‎(axis); see also Lithuanian ašis ‎(axle), Sanskrit अक्ष ‎(akṣa, axle, axis, balance beam), Ancient Greek ἄξων ‎(áxōn, axle), Old High German ahsa ‎(axle), and Old English eax, English axle, eax, Icelandic öxull, öksull.



axis m ‎(genitive axis); third declension

  1. An axletree, wagon, car, chariot.
  2. The North Pole.
  3. The heavens or a region or clime of these.
  4. A board, plank.


Third declension i-stem.

Case Singular Plural
nominative axis axēs
genitive axis axium
dative axī axibus
accusative axem axēs
ablative axe axibus
vocative axis axēs

Derived terms[edit]



  • Langenscheidt Pocket Latin Dictionary