Cartesian

adjective

Car·​te·​sian kär-ˈtē-zhən 

: of or relating to René Descartes or his philosophy

Cartesian noun

Cartesianism

kär-ˈtē-zhə-ˌni-zəm 

noun

Examples of Cartesian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the time, Cartesian philosophy dominated intellectual life. — Beth Dufault, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025

In execution, though, those sound principles produced a self-effacing Cartesian colossus — a massive hunk of boring. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2025

For three years, Cristina immersed herself in the study of natural philosophy, Aristotelian physics and Cartesian geometry. — Manuela Callari, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025

Using the example of a Cartesian system, Dunnell urged people to take advantage of the capabilities that AI now offers. — John Werner, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

The three-axis linear robot KR 80L has Cartesian axes which are operated via the robot controller. — IEEE Spectrum, 7 Feb. 2020

The Cartesian wiping motions are resolved to joint motions exploiting the free degree of freedom of the involved tool. — Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 11 Mar. 2016

Word History

Etymology

New Latin cartesianus, from Cartesius Descartes

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Cartesian

• Cartesian coordinate
• Cartesian plane
• Cartesian product

Rhymes for Cartesian

• adhesion
• artesian
• cohesion
• elysian
• magnesian
• austronesian
• indonesian
• melanesian
• micronesian
• polynesian
• friesian
• lesion