Is the word 'coss' used in modern mathematics?

No, it is completely obsolete. The standard term is 'cosine' or its abbreviation 'cos'.

Where might I encounter the word 'coss'?

Only in historical texts, particularly those on the development of algebra and trigonometry from the 16th-18th centuries, or in historical documents referencing Indian measurements.

Is 'coss' related to the word 'cos' (as in 'cos play')?

No, that is a shortening of 'costume'. The mathematical 'coss' is unrelated.

How do I pronounce 'coss'?

It is pronounced like the word 'cos' in 'cos lettuce' (/kɒs/ in British English, /kɑːs/ in American English).

coss: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Extremely low (archaic, historical, obsolete)

UK/kɒs/US/kɑːs/

Historical, academic (history of mathematics), archaic

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Quick answer

What does “coss” mean?

An obsolete or historical term for the cosine function in trigonometry.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

An obsolete or historical term for the cosine function in trigonometry; historically, also used to refer to an algebraic unknown quantity in Renaissance mathematics.

In historical contexts, may refer to a unit of distance used in the Indian subcontinent (approx. 1.8-2.2 miles). In modern English, it is an extremely rare and obsolete term.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant modern difference. Both varieties treat the term as equally archaic.

Connotations

Scholarly, historical, obsolete.

Frequency

Virtually never encountered in contemporary language in either region.

Grammar

How to Use “coss” in a Sentence

the coss of [angle]a distance of [number] coss

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

historicalobsoletemathematical

medium

functiontermangle

weak

IndianRenaissancetext

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Exclusively in historical analyses of mathematics or colonial history.

Everyday

Never used.

Technical

Obsolete; replaced entirely by 'cosine' or 'cos' in mathematics.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “coss”

Strong

cosine function

Neutral

cosine cos

Weak

trigonometric function

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “coss”

sine

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “coss”

Using 'coss' in modern mathematical writing.
Pronouncing it with a /z/ sound (like 'cos' in 'cosy').
Assuming it is a plural form of 'cos'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it is completely obsolete. The standard term is 'cosine' or its abbreviation 'cos'.
: Only in historical texts, particularly those on the development of algebra and trigonometry from the 16th-18th centuries, or in historical documents referencing Indian measurements.
: No, that is a shortening of 'costume'. The mathematical 'coss' is unrelated.
: It is pronounced like the word 'cos' in 'cos lettuce' (/kɒs/ in British English, /kɑːs/ in American English).
: An obsolete or historical term for the cosine function in trigonometry.
: Coss is usually historical, academic (history of mathematics), archaic in register.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“[No common idioms exist for this word]”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'Coss' as a 'Costume' from the past that mathematicians wore before adopting the modern 'cos'.

Conceptual Metaphor

A RELIC OF KNOWLEDGE (something valuable from the past, now superseded).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In Renaissance algebra, the term '' was sometimes used for an unknown quantity.

Multiple Choice

What is the modern equivalent of the historical mathematical term 'coss'?