definition of co-ordinate

>From the spec:
~~~
<coordinate>

A <coordinate> is a length in the user coordinate system that is the given
distance from the origin of the user coordinate system along the relevant
axis (the x-axis for X coordinates, the y-axis for Y coordinates). Its
syntax is the same as that for
<length><http://www.w3.org/TR/SVG/types.html#DataTypeLength>
.

coordinate ::= length <http://www.w3.org/TR/SVG/types.html#Length>

Within the SVG DOM, a <coordinate> is represented as an
SVGLength<http://www.w3.org/TR/SVG/types.html#InterfaceSVGLength>or an
SVGAnimatedLength<http://www.w3.org/TR/SVG/types.html#InterfaceSVGAnimatedLength>
.
~~~
This has always bothered me.  It's completely wrong, a coordinate is a set
of two or more ordinates.

coordinate ::= length doesn't make any sense in English or mathematical
terms.

an X value is not a coordinate, it is an ordinate.

-- 
Cheers!
Rick
       "It's a summons."
       "What's a summons?"
       "It means summon's in trouble."
               -- Rocky and Bullwinkle