vector
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (4)
- a variable quantity that can be resolved into components
- a straight line segment whose length is magnitude and whose orientation in space is direction
- any agent (person or animal or microorganism) that carries and transmits a disease“mosquitos are vectors of malaria and yellow fever”“fleas are vectors of the plague”“aphids are transmitters of plant diseases”“when medical scientists talk about vectors they are usually talking about insects”Synonyms: transmitter
- (genetics) a virus or other agent that is used to deliver DNA to a cell
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
1.Same as Radius vector. [1913 Webster]
2.(Math.) A directed quantity, as a straight line, a force, or a velocity. Vectors are said to be equal when their directions are the same and their magnitudes equal. Cf. Scalar. [1913 Webster]
Note: In a triangle, either side is the vector sum of the other two sides taken in proper order; the process finding the vector sum of two or more vectors is vector addition (see under Addition). [1913 Webster]
Free On-line Dictionary of Computing
1.<mathematics> A member of a vector space.
2.<graphics> A line or movement defined by its end points, or by the current position and one other point. See vector graphics.
3.<operating system> A memory location containing the address of some code, often some kind of exception handler or other operating system service. By changing the vector to point to a different piece of code it is possible to modify the behaviour of the operating system.
Compare hook.
4.<programming> A one-dimensional array.
(1996-09-30)