Secant /(sē"kănt)/

Se·cant

Secant

a.
  1. Cutting; dividing into two parts; as, a secant line.

Secant

n.
  1. A line that cuts another; especially, a straight line cutting a curve in two or more points. (Geom.)
  2. A right line drawn from the center of a circle through one end of a circular arc, and terminated by a tangent drawn from the other end; the number expressing the ratio of this line to the radius of the circle. See Trigonometrical function, under Function. (Trig.)