See Also: cartesian(medicine)
Cartesian(dictionary)
Cartesian nomogram(medicine)
Cartesian circle(encyclopedia)

Cartesian (iou)



Cartesian adjective & noun. M17.
[mod. Latin Cartesianus, from Cartesius Latinized form of the name of Rene Descartes (1596-1650), French philosopher and scientist: see -IAN.]
A. adjective. Pertaining to or characteristic of Descartes, his philosophy, or his mathematical methods. M17.
Cartesian coordinate each of a set of coordinates describing the position of a point in relation to a set of intersecting straight axes (usu. in pl.). Cartesian devil, Cartesian diver a toy that rises and falls in a liquid when the vessel containing it is subjected to varying pressure.
H. Hallam Cogito; Ergo sum, this famous enthymem of the Cartesian philosophy.
b. noun. A follower of Descartes. M17.
Cartesianism noun the philosophy of Descartes M17.