determinant
Noun · AdjectiveOpen English WordNet
Noun (3)
- a determining or causal element or factor“education is an important determinant of one's outlook on life”Synonyms: determinerdeterminativedetermining factorcausal factorType of cognitive factorKinds influence, clincher
- the site on the surface of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itselfSynonyms: antigenic determinantepitopeType of site, situationPart of antigen
- a square matrix used to solve simultaneous equationsType of square matrix
Adjective (1)
- having the power or quality of deciding“cast the deciding vote”“the determinative (or determinant) battle”Synonyms: decidingdeterminativedeterminingOpposite indecisiveSimilar decisive
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: L. determinans, p. pr. of determinare: cf. F. déterminant.
Serving to determine or limit; determinative.
1. That which serves to determine; that which causes determination.
2. Mathematics The sum of a series of products of several numbers, these products being formed according to certain specified laws; thus, the determinant of the nine numbers a, b, c,a′, b′, c′,a′′, b′′, c′′, is a b′ c′′ - a b′′ c′ + a′ b′′ c] - a′ b c′′ + a′′ b′ c. The determinant is written by placing the numbers from which it is formed in a square between two vertical lines. The theory of determinants forms a very important branch of modern mathematics.
3. Logic A mark or attribute, attached to the subject or predicate, narrowing the extent of both, but rendering them more definite and precise. Abp. Thomson.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54