Definition of: trisectrix of MacLaurin

(trī·sek′triks) Math.
The plane curve of the equation x³ + xy² + ay² -3ax² = 0. Symmetric about the x-axis, passing through the origin and asymptotic to the line x = -a, the trisectrix is so named because it can be employed to trisect an angle. [after Colin MacLaurin, 1698–1746, Scottish mathematician]