Descending node

Descending node
Node Node (n[=o]d), n. [L. nodus; perh. akin to E. knot. Cf. {Noose}, {Nowed}.] 1. A knot, a knob; a protuberance; a swelling. [1913 Webster]

2. Specifically: (a) (Astron.) One of the two points where the orbit of a planet, or comet, intersects the ecliptic, or the orbit of a satellite intersects the plane of the orbit of its primary. (b) (Bot.) The joint of a stem, or the part where a leaf or several leaves are inserted. (c) (Dialing) A hole in the gnomon of a dial, through which passes the ray of light which marks the hour of the day, the parallels of the sun's declination, his place in the ecliptic, etc. (d) (Geom.) The point at which a curve crosses itself, being a double point of the curve. See {Crunode}, and {Acnode}. (e) (Mech.) The point at which the lines of a funicular machine meet from different angular directions; -- called also {knot}. --W. R. Johnson. (f) (Poet.) The knot, intrigue, or plot of a piece. (g) (Med.) A hard concretion or incrustation which forms upon bones attacked with rheumatism, gout, or syphilis; sometimes also, a swelling in the neighborhood of a joint. --Dunglison. (h) (Mus) One of the fixed points of a sonorous string, when it vibrates by aliquot parts, and produces the harmonic tones; nodal line or point. (i) (Zo["o]l.) A swelling. [1913 Webster]

3. (Math., Computers) A special point in a graph or diagram which is attached to other points by {links}. It is often labeled and represented graphically as a box or circle. A node may represent any object which is related to other objects in a conceptual structure that can be represented as a graph, the relations being represented as links between the nodes. [PJC]

4. (Anat.) A small mass of tissue differing from other tissue in its immediate vicinity; as, a lymph node. [PJC]

{Ascending node} (Astron.), the node at which the body is passing northerly, marked with the symbol [astascending], called the Dragon's head. Called also {northern node}.

{Descending node}, the node at which the body is moving southwardly, marked thus [astdescending], called Dragon's tail.

{Line of nodes}, a straight line joining the two nodes of an orbit. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Descending node — Descending De*scend ing, a. Of or pertaining to descent; moving downwards. [1913 Webster] {Descending constellations} or {Descending signs} (Astron.), those through which the planets descent toward the south. {Descending node} (Astron.), that… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • descending node — noun the point at which an orbit crosses the ecliptic plane going south • Ant: ↑ascending node • Hypernyms: ↑node * * * noun : the node passed as an astronomical body goes south * * * Astron. the node through which an orbiting body passes as it… …   Useful english dictionary

  • descending node — leidimosi mazgas statusas T sritis radioelektronika atitikmenys: angl. descending node vok. absteigender Knoten, m rus. нисходящий узел, m pranc. noeud descendant, m …   Radioelektronikos terminų žodynas

  • descending node — Astron. the node through which an orbiting body passes as it moves to the south (opposed to ascending node). [1690 1700] * * * …   Universalium

  • Descending — De*scend ing, a. Of or pertaining to descent; moving downwards. [1913 Webster] {Descending constellations} or {Descending signs} (Astron.), those through which the planets descent toward the south. {Descending node} (Astron.), that point in a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Descending constellations — Descending De*scend ing, a. Of or pertaining to descent; moving downwards. [1913 Webster] {Descending constellations} or {Descending signs} (Astron.), those through which the planets descent toward the south. {Descending node} (Astron.), that… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Descending series — Descending De*scend ing, a. Of or pertaining to descent; moving downwards. [1913 Webster] {Descending constellations} or {Descending signs} (Astron.), those through which the planets descent toward the south. {Descending node} (Astron.), that… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Descending signs — Descending De*scend ing, a. Of or pertaining to descent; moving downwards. [1913 Webster] {Descending constellations} or {Descending signs} (Astron.), those through which the planets descent toward the south. {Descending node} (Astron.), that… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Node — (n[=o]d), n. [L. nodus; perh. akin to E. knot. Cf. {Noose}, {Nowed}.] 1. A knot, a knob; a protuberance; a swelling. [1913 Webster] 2. Specifically: (a) (Astron.) One of the two points where the orbit of a planet, or comet, intersects the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • node — /nohd/, n. 1. a knot, protuberance, or knob. 2. a centering point of component parts. 3. Anat. a knotlike mass of tissue: lymph node. 4. Pathol. circumscribed swelling. 5. Bot. a. a joint in a stem. b. a part of a stem that normally bears a leaf …   Universalium

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