adj. & n.
--adj. of or relating to R. Descartes, 17th-c. French philosopher and mathematician.
--n. a follower of Descartes.
Phrases and idioms:
Cartesian coordinates a system for locating a point by reference to its distance from two or three axes intersecting at right angles.
Derivatives:
Cartesianism n.
Etymology: mod.L Cartesianus f. Cartesius, name of Descartes