axis
axis — noun
1. a straight line, real or imagined, that passes through the middle of a spinning
a straight line, real or imagined, that passes through the middle of a spinning object — for example, the line running pole to pole inside the Earth that the planet turns around once a day.
The Earth spins on its axis once every 24 hours, giving us day and night.
spin on its axis (rotation collocation)
Mr. Lin showed the children how a spinning top wobbles around its axis.
around its axis (rotation collocation)
The wheel turns smoothly because its axis runs through the exact centre.
Mars is tilted on its axis at about the same angle as our planet.
文法句型
the axis of [object]
rotate on/around an axis
用法筆記
Often paired with motion verbs (spin, rotate, turn, tilt) and the prepositions on, around, or about. The line itself does not move; the object moves around it.
常見錯誤
2. one of the two reference lines on a graph or chart that you read values against
one of the two reference lines on a graph or chart that you read values against — usually a horizontal one for one variable and a vertical one for the other.
Zane plotted time along the horizontal axis and temperature along the vertical axis.
horizontal axis / vertical axis (typical pairing)
The teacher labelled the y-axis 'sales' and the x-axis 'months'.
label the [x/y]-axis
Each point on the graph has a value read from both axes.
If you stretch the vertical axis, even small differences look dramatic.
- coordinate line
more technical equivalent used in geometry textbooks
文法句型
the x-axis / y-axis
plotted on the [horizontal/vertical] axis
用法筆記
The plural is 'axes' (pronounced /ˈæk.siːz/). Most graphs have two axes; 3-D plots add a third. Often modified by horizontal, vertical, x-, y-, z-.
常見錯誤
3. a line that cuts a shape so that the two sides match each other exactly — fold t
a line that cuts a shape so that the two sides match each other exactly — fold the shape along this line and the halves lie on top of one another.
A perfect butterfly has an axis of symmetry running down the middle of its body.
axis of symmetry (fixed phrase)
Draw a vertical line through the heart shape; that line is its axis.
Squares have four axes of symmetry, while circles have an infinite number.
Zara folded the paper along the axis to check that both halves matched.
- line of symmetry
everyday equivalent in primary-school geometry
- mirror line
informal classroom term, especially in British schools
文法句型
axis of symmetry
an axis through [shape]
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'axis of symmetry' in school maths. Distinguish from sense 1: this line does not turn anything; it merely divides a shape into mirror halves.
常見錯誤
4. the second bone down from the skull in your neck, which lets your head turn left
the second bone down from the skull in your neck, which lets your head turn left and right because the bone above it pivots on a small peg sticking up from this one.
Dr. Leila pointed to a model of the spine and explained how the skull rotates on the axis.
rotates on the axis (anatomical action)
A heavy fall on the head can fracture the axis and damage the spinal cord.
The atlas and the axis together let you nod and shake your head.
On the X-ray, the radiographer circled a small crack across the patient's axis.
- C2 vertebra
clinical label used in medical notes and X-ray reports
- second cervical vertebra
full anatomical name; 'axis' is shorter
文法句型
the axis (of the neck)
用法筆記
Specialist anatomy term; in everyday speech most people just say 'the second neck bone'. Always paired conceptually with 'the atlas', the bone immediately above it that supports the skull.
5. a close working partnership between two or more governments, usually pulling oth
a close working partnership between two or more governments, usually pulling other nations along with them; written with a capital A, the word names the World War II grouping of Germany with Italy and Japan, who battled the Allies between 1939 and 1945.
Reporters described the Paris–Berlin axis as the engine of the European project.
[city]–[city] axis (naming pattern)
The two presidents announced a new axis aimed at reducing trade tariffs across the region.
My grandfather fought against the Axis in Italy during the Second World War.
Critics warned that the new defence pact looked like the start of a Pacific axis.
文法句型
an axis between [country] and [country]
a [name] axis
the Axis
用法筆記
Lower-case 'axis' is a general label for any tight political pairing (often two capital cities joined with an en-dash, e.g. 'London–Washington axis'). Capitalised 'the Axis' is a fixed historical name and is not used for modern alliances. The word often carries a faintly negative or threatening tone, which 'alliance' does not.