a. [ L. secans, -antis, p. pr. of secare to cut. See Section. ] Cutting; dividing into two parts; as, a secant line. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. sécante. See Secant, a. ] 1. (Geom.) A line that cuts another; especially, a straight line cutting a curve in two or more points. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Trig.) A right line drawn from the center of a circle through one end of a circular arc, and terminated by a tangent drawn from the other end; the number expressing the ratio of this line to the radius of the circle. See Trigonometrical function, under Function. [ 1913 Webster ]