Definition

1. Noun:
   • The shorter or shortest axis of an ellipse or ellipsoid: In geometry, the minor axis is the line segment that passes through the center of an ellipse or ellipsoid, is perpendicular to the major axis, and represents the smallest diameter.

Usage

• The is a fundamental geometric property used to describe the shape and dimensions of ellipses and ellipsoids.
• It is always perpendicular to and shorter than the major axis.
• In an ellipse, the endpoints of the minor axis are the co-vertices.

Examples

• Noun:
  • To calculate the area of the ellipse, you need to know the length of both its major and minor axis.
  • The planet's orbit is an ellipse where the minor axis is significantly shorter than the major axis.
  • The engineer specified the dimensions of the oval window by giving the lengths of its major and minor axes.

Advanced Usage

• "Semi-minor axis": Half the length of the minor axis; the distance from the center to a co-vertex.
  • The semi-minor axis of the ellipse is 5 cm.

Variants and Related Words

• Major axis (n): The longer or longest axis of an ellipse or ellipsoid.
• Axis (n): A straight central line in a symmetric geometric figure.
• Ellipse (n): A regular oval shape.
• Ellipsoid (n): A three-dimensional figure whose plane sections are ellipses or circles.

Synonyms

• Shorter axis: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its relative length.
• Conjugate diameter (in specific contexts): A related geometric term.

Related Phrases

• Length of the minor axis: A common phrase used when measuring or discussing the dimension.
  • What is the length of the minor axis for this elliptical path?

Noun

1. the shorter or shortest axis of an ellipse or ellipsoid