Complete Definition of "vanishing point"

English

Noun
en-noun|sg=vanishing point

  1. The point at which parallel lines recede|receding from an observer seem to converge.

#*1884, Wm. M. Thornton, "Construction of Perspective Projections," The Annals of Mathematics, vol. 1, no 1, p. 13,
#*:These formulae . . . give for the vanishing point of a set of parallel lines whose common azimuth is α and declivity δ: ηd tan α, ζd tan δ sec α.
#*2003, Sally B. Donnelly, "The Need for Speed," Time, 25 Aug.,
#*:It hit 100 m.p.h. with ease and sped toward the vanishing point down Highway 93A.

  1. The situation in which, place where, or point in time when some object or phenomenon is no longer observable or notable.

#*1762, Samuel Dunn, "Some Observations of the Planet Venus, on the Disk of the Sun, June 6th, 1761," Philosophical Transactions (1683-1775), vol. 52, p. 192,
#*:At 8h 35' 4", the least dent possible, quite black, appeared in the sun's limb. And at 8h 35' 6", the limb was restored to its perfect form, there having been a small trembling light, between the narrow watery border of Venus and the vanishing point of contact in the sun's limb for these two seconds of time.
#*1923, "Tuberculosis at Bay," Time, 25 June,
#*:It might cut the tuberculosis deathrate to the vanishing point.

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