n, pl  ax*es   1 a  :  a straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be thought of as rotating  b  :  a straight line with respect to which a body, organ, or figure is symmetrical  2 a  :  the second vertebra of the neck of the higher vertebrates that is prolonged anteriorly within the foramen of the first vertebra and united with the dens which serves as a pivot for the atlas and head to turn upon - called also epistropheus   b  :  any of various central, fundamental, or axial parts <the cerebrospinal >  <the skeletal >   c  :  AXILLA .
 
 
 
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