determinant

Noun · Adjective

Synonyms: determiner determinative determining factor causal factor antigenic determinant epitope deciding determining

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

a determining or causal element or factor“education is an important determinant of one's outlook on life”Synonyms: determiner determinative determining factor causal factor
the site on the surface of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itselfSynonyms: antigenic determinant epitope
a square matrix used to solve simultaneous equations

Adjective (1)

having the power or quality of deciding“the crucial experiment”“cast the deciding vote”“the determinative (or determinant) battle”Synonyms: deciding determinative determining

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Determinant \De*ter"mi*nant\, a. [L. determinans, p. pr. of determinare: cf. F. d['e]terminant.] Serving to determine or limit; determinative. [1913 Webster]

Determinant \De*ter"mi*nant\, n.

1.That which serves to determine; that which causes determination. [1913 Webster]

2.(Math.) The sum of a series of products of several numbers, these products being formed according to certain specified laws;

Note: 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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]