axis (n.)

  1. a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions

  2. the main stem or central part about which plant organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged

  3. in World War II the alliance of Germany and Italy in 1936 which later included Japan and other nations; the Axis opposed the Allies in World War II

    [ Syn: axis ]

  4. a group of countries in special alliance

    [ Syn: bloc ]

  5. the 2nd cervical vertebra; serves as a pivot for turning the head

    [ Syn: axis vertebra ]

  6. the center around which something rotates

    [ Syn: axis of rotation ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.