cartesian

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: Cartesian

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a follower of Cartesian thoughtSynonyms: Cartesian

Adjective (1)

  1. of or relating to Rene Descartes or his works“Cartesian linguistics”Synonyms: Cartesian
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Cartesian \Car*te"sian\, n. An adherent of Descartes. [1913 Webster]
Cartesian \Car*te"sian\, a. [From Renatus Cartesius, Latinized from of Ren['e] Descartes: cf. F. cart['e]sien.] Of or pertaining to the French philosopher Ren['e] Descartes, or his philosophy. [1913 Webster]

The Cartesion argument for reality of matter. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]

Cartesian coordinates (Geom), distance of a point from lines or planes; -- used in a system of representing geometric quantities, invented by Descartes.

Cartesian devil, a small hollow glass figure, used in connection with a jar of water having an elastic top, to illustrate the effect of the compression or expansion of air in changing the specific gravity of bodies.

Cartesion oval (Geom.), a curve such that, for any point of the curve mr + m'r' = c, where r and r' are the distances of the point from the two foci and m, m' and c are constant; -- used by Descartes. [1913 Webster]

The Devil's Dictionary

CARTESIAN, adj. Relating to Descartes, a famous philosopher, author of the celebrated dictum, _Cogito ergo sum_ -- whereby he was pleased to suppose he demonstrated the reality of human existence. The dictum might be improved, however, thus: _Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum_ -- "I think that I think, therefore I think that I am;" as close an approach to certainty as any philosopher has yet made.
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