Cartesian coordinates

noun, (used with a plural verb) Mathematics
1.
a system of coordinates for locating a point on a plane (Cartesian plane) by its distance from each of two intersecting lines, or in space by its distance from each of three planes intersecting at a point.
Origin
1885-90
British Dictionary definitions for Cartesian coordinates

Cartesian coordinates

plural noun
1.
a system of representing points in space in terms of their distance from a given origin measured along a set of mutually perpendicular axes. Written (x,y,z) with reference to three axes
Cartesian coordinates in Technology

mathematics, graphics
(After Renee Descartes, French philosopher and mathematician) A pair of numbers, (x, y), defining the position of a point in a two-dimensional space by its perpendicular projection onto two axes which are at right angles to each other. x and y are also known as the abscissa and ordinate.
The idea can be generalised to any number of independent axes.
Compare polar coordinates.
(1997-07-08)