locus

[ loh-kuh s ]
/ ˈloʊ kəs /

noun, plural lo·ci [loh-sahy, -kee, -kahy] /ˈloʊ saɪ, -ki, -kaɪ/, lo·ca [loh-kuh] /ˈloʊ kə/.

a place; locality.
a center or source, as of activities or power: locus of control.
Mathematics. the set of all points, lines, or surfaces that satisfy a given requirement.
Genetics. the chromosomal position of a gene as determined by its linear order relative to the other genes on that chromosome.

Origin of locus

1525–35; < Latin; OL stlocus a place

Definition for locus (2 of 4)

locus classicus
[ loh-koo s klahs-si-koo s; English loh-kuh s klas-i-kuh s ]
/ ˈloʊ kʊs ˈklɑs sɪˌkʊs; English ˈloʊ kəs ˈklæs ɪ kəs /

noun, plural lo·ci clas·si·ci [loh-kee klahs-si-kee; English loh-sahy klas-uh-sahy, loh-kahy klas-i-kahy] /ˈloʊ ki ˈklɑs sɪˌki; English ˈloʊ saɪ ˈklæs əˌsaɪ, ˈloʊ kaɪ ˈklæs ɪˌkaɪ/. Latin.

classical source: a passage commonly cited to illustrate or explain a subject or word.

Definition for locus (3 of 4)

locus in quo
[ loh-koo s in kwoh; English loh-kuh s in kwoh ]
/ ˈloʊ kʊs ɪn ˈkwoʊ; English ˈloʊ kəs ɪn ˈkwoʊ /

noun Latin.

the place in which; the very place; the scene of the event.

Definition for locus (4 of 4)

locus sigilli
[ loh-koo s see-geel-lee; English loh-kuh s si-jil-ahy ]
/ ˈloʊ kʊs siˈgil li; English ˈloʊ kəs sɪˈdʒɪl aɪ /

noun, plural lo·ci si·gil·li [loh-kee see-geel-lee; English loh-sahy si-jil-ahy, loh-kahy] /ˈloʊ ki siˈgil li; English ˈloʊ saɪ sɪˈdʒɪl aɪ, ˈloʊ kaɪ/. Latin.

Example sentences from the Web for locus

British Dictionary definitions for locus (1 of 3)

locus
/ (ˈləʊkəs) /

noun plural loci (ˈləʊsaɪ)

(in many legal phrases) a place or area, esp the place where something occurred
maths a set of points whose location satisfies or is determined by one or more specified conditions the locus of points equidistant from a given point is a circle
genetics the position of a particular gene on a chromosome

Word Origin for locus

C18: Latin

British Dictionary definitions for locus (2 of 3)

locus classicus
/ (ˈklæsɪkəs) /

noun plural loci classici (ˈklæsɪˌsaɪ)

an authoritative and often quoted passage from a standard work

Word Origin for locus classicus

Latin: classical place

British Dictionary definitions for locus (3 of 3)

locus sigilli
/ (sɪˈdʒɪlaɪ) /

noun plural loci sigilli

the place to which the seal is affixed on legal documents, etc

Word Origin for locus sigilli

Latin

Medical definitions for locus

locus
[ lōkəs ]

n. pl. lo•ci (-sī′, -kē, -kī′)

A place; site.
The position that a given gene occupies on a chromosome.

Scientific definitions for locus

locus
[ lōkəs ]

Plural loci (sī′, -kē, -kī′)

The set or configuration of all points whose coordinates satisfy a single equation or one or more algebraic conditions.
The position that a given gene occupies on a chromosome.

Cultural definitions for locus

locus

plur. loci (loh-seye, loh-keye)

In geometry, the set of all points (and only those points) that satisfy certain conditions; these points form a curve or figure. For example, the locus of all points in space one foot from a given point is a sphere having a radius of one foot and having its center at the given point. The locus of all points in a plane one foot from a given point is a circle having a radius of one foot and having its center at the given point.