online medical dictionary | definition of fiducial

1. Having faith or trust; confident; undoubting; firm. "Fiducial reliance on the promises of God."

2. Having the nature of a trust; fiduciary; as, fiducial power.

<astronomy> Fiducial edge, the straight edge of the alidade or ruler along which a straight line is to be drawn.

<mathematics> Fiducial line or point, a line or point of reference, as for setting a graduated circle or scale used for measurments.

Origin: L. Fiducia trust, confidence; akin to fides faith. See Faith.

(01 Mar 1998)