cosecant

 
Pronunciation: /kəʊˈsiːk(ə)nt, -ˈsɛk-/

noun

Mathematics
  • the ratio of the hypotenuse (in a right-angled triangle) to the side opposite an acute angle; the reciprocal of sine.

Origin:

early 18th century: from modern Latin cosecant-, from co- 'mutually' + Latin secant- 'cutting' (from the verb secare). Compare with secant