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axis
ax·is / ˈaksis/ • n. (pl. ax·es / ˈaksēz/ ) 1. an imaginary line about which a body rotates: the earth revolves on its axis once every 24 hours. ∎ Geom. an imaginary straight line passing through the center of a symmetrical solid, and about which a plane figure can be conceived as rotating to generate the solid. ∎ an imaginary line that divides something into equal or roughly equal halves, esp. in the direction of its greatest length. 2. Math. a fixed reference line for the measurement of coordinates: the horizontal axis. 3. a straight central part in a structure to which other parts are connected. ∎ Bot. the central column of an inflorescence or other growth. ∎ Zool. the skull and backbone of a vertebrate animal. 4. Anat. the second cervical vertebra, below the atlas at the top of the backbone. 5. an agreement or alliance between two or more countries that forms a center for an eventual larger grouping of nations: the Anglo-American axis. ∎ (the Axis) the alliance of Germany and Italy formed before and during World War II, later extended to include Japan and other countries: [as adj.] the Axis Powers. |
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"axis." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "axis." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-axis.html "axis." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-axis.html |
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Axis
Axis. A magazine devoted to contemporary art, published in London 1935–7, edited by the writer Myfanwy Evans assisted by her husband John Piper. In the first issue (January 1935) Axis was described as ‘a quarterly review of contemporary abstract painting and sculpture', but the quarterly intervals became almost half-yearly; the last issue (the 8th) appeared in winter 1937. Evans was encouraged by the French abstract painter Jean Hélion and it was originally intended that Axis should parallel the concerns of the Paris-based Abstraction-Création group. In later issues, however, the commitment to abstraction was abandoned in favour of a Neo-Romantic nostalgia for the English landscape tradition. The impressive list of contributors included Paul Nash and Herbert Read. Although short-lived, the magazine was influential in introducing knowledge of contemporary European trends to Britain.
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IAN CHILVERS. "Axis." A Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Art. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. IAN CHILVERS. "Axis." A Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Art. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O5-Axis.html IAN CHILVERS. "Axis." A Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Art. 1999. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O5-Axis.html |
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Axis
Axis coalition of countries headed by Germany, Italy, and Japan, 1936-45 (see World War II ). The expression "Rome-Berlin axis" originated in Oct., 1936, with an accord reached by Hitler and Mussolini . The Axis was solidified by an Italo-German alliance in May, 1939. This was extended (Sept., 1940) by a military alliance among Germany, Italy, and Japan—the so-called Berlin Pact, to which Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Croatia adhered later. The related Anti-Comintern Pact (see Comintern ), originally concluded between Germany and Japan in 1936, later had as adherents, besides the Berlin Pact nations, Spain, Denmark, Finland, and the puppet governments of Manchukuo and Nanjing. |
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"Axis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Axis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Axis.html "Axis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Axis.html |
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axis
axis the name the Axis denotes the alliance of Germany and Italy formed before and during the Second World War, later extended to include Japan and other countries.
axis of evil a term coined by George W. Bush in his State of the Union address of February 2002, when he said of Iraq, Iran, and North Korea, ‘States like these…constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of this world.’ The term is now used to encapsulate the political stance of the Bush government in foreign relations, as ‘the Evil Empire’ (see evil) was once used of the Reagan administration's view of the Soviet Union. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "axis." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "axis." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-axis.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "axis." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-axis.html |
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axis
axis Imaginary straight line about which a body rotates. In mechanics, an axis runs longitudinally through the centre of an axle or rotating shaft. In geography and astronomy, it is a line through the centre of a planet or star, about which the planet or star rotates. Earth's axis between the North and South geographic poles is 12,700km (7900mi) long and is inclined at an angle of 66.5° to the plane in which the Earth orbits the Sun. A mathematical axis is a fixed line, such as the x, y or z axis, chosen for reference.
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"axis." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "axis." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-axis.html "axis." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-axis.html |
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axis
axis The second cervical vertebra, which articulates with the atlas (the first cervical vertebra, which articulates with the skull). The articulation between the axis and atlas in reptiles, birds, and mammals permits side-to-side movement of the head. The body of the axis is elongated to form a peg (the odontoid process), which extends into the ring of the atlas and acts as a pivot on which the atlas (and skull) can turn.
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"axis." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "axis." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-axis.html "axis." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-axis.html |
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axis
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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "axis." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES STEVENS CURL. "axis." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-axis.html JAMES STEVENS CURL. "axis." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-axis.html |
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axis
axis (aks-is) n.
1. a real or imaginary line through the centre of the body or one of its parts or a line about which the body or a part rotates. 2. the second cervical vertebra, which articulates with the atlas vertebra above and allows rotational movement of the head. |
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"axis." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "axis." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-axis.html "axis." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-axis.html |
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axis
axis XIV. — L. axis axle, etc., rel. to Skr. ákṣa-, Gr. áxōn, and OE. eax, æx, OHG. ahsa (G. achse) :- Gmc. *aχsō; cf. next.
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T. F. HOAD. "axis." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "axis." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-axis.html T. F. HOAD. "axis." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-axis.html |
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Axis
Axisthe association of the countries that formed the German/Italian/Japanese alliance in World War II. |
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"Axis." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Axis." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505300078.html "Axis." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505300078.html |
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axis
axis (pl. axes) The main (or central) stem of a plant or infloresence.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "axis." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "axis." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-axis.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "axis." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-axis.html |
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axis
axis
•glacis, Onassis
•abscess
•anaphylaxis, axis, praxis, taxis
•Chalcis • Jancis • synapsis • catharsis
•Frances, Francis
•thesis • Alexis • amanuensis
•prolepsis, sepsis, syllepsis
•basis, oasis, stasis
•amniocentesis, anamnesis, ascesis, catechesis, exegesis, mimesis, prosthesis, psychokinesis, telekinesis
•ellipsis, paralipsis
•Lachesis
•analysis, catalysis, dialysis, paralysis, psychoanalysis
•electrolysis • nemesis
•genesis, parthenogenesis, pathogenesis
•diaeresis (US dieresis) • metathesis
•parenthesis
•photosynthesis, synthesis
•hypothesis, prothesis
•crisis, Isis
•proboscis • synopsis
•apotheosis, chlorosis, cirrhosis, diagnosis, halitosis, hypnosis, kenosis, meiosis, metempsychosis, misdiagnosis, mononucleosis, myxomatosis, necrosis, neurosis, osmosis, osteoporosis, prognosis, psittacosis, psychosis, sclerosis, symbiosis, thrombosis, toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, tuberculosis
•archdiocese, diocese, elephantiasis, psoriasis
•anabasis • apodosis
•emphasis, underemphasis
•anamorphosis, metamorphosis
•periphrasis • entasis • protasis
•hypostasis, iconostasis
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"axis." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "axis." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-axis.html "axis." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-axis.html |
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