Definition of direction cosine
: any of the cosines of the three angles between a directed line in space and the positive direction of the axes of a rectangular Cartesian coordinate system
—usually used in plural
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on direction cosine
What made you want to look up direction cosine? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quiz - Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quiz - Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question ...
Take the quiz - Word Winder's CrossWinder Play the game
Share direction cosine
Time Traveler for direction cosine
The first known use of direction cosine was circa 1889
See more words from the same year