locus

Plural: loca, loci, locuses

Noun

• A particular place, position, or point, or a gene's position.
• the scene of any event or action (especially the place of a meeting)
• the specific site of a particular gene on its chromosome
• the set of all points or lines that satisfy or are determined by specific conditions
  • "the locus of points equidistant from a given point is a circle"
• A place or locality, especially a centre of activity or the scene of a crime.
• The set of all points whose coordinates satisfy a given equation or condition.
• A fixed position on a string of DNA or RNA, especially a chromosome, that may be occupied by one or more genes.
• A passage in writing, especially in a collection of ancient sacred writings arranged according to a theme.

Examples

• A circle is the locus of points from which the distance to the center is a given value, the radius.
• The cafeteria was the locus of activity.
• The central star square is always a primary locus for opening Scrabble plays.

Synonyms

locale, venue

Related Words

local, locality, localization, localize, locant, locate, location, locator, locoregional, locus amoenus