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combination
com·bi·na·tion / ˌkämbəˈnāshən/ • n. 1. the act or an instance of combining; the process of being combined. ∎ [as adj.] uniting different uses, functions, or ingredients: a combination garment bag and backpack. ∎ the state of being joined or united in such a way: these four factors work together in combination. ∎ Chem. the joining of substances in a compound with new properties. ∎ Chem. the state of being in a compound. 2. a set of people or things that have been combined: a combination of beauty and utility. ∎ an arrangement of elements: the canvases may be arranged in any number of combinations. ∎ a sequence of numbers or letters used to open a combination lock. ∎ (in various sports and games) a coordinated and effective sequence of moves. ∎ (in equestrian sports) a jump consisting of two or more elements. 3. Math. a selection of a given number of elements from a larger number without regard to their arrangement. DERIVATIVES: com·bi·na·tion·al / -shənl/ adj. com·bi·na·tive / ˈkämbəˌnātiv; kəmˈbīnətiv/ adj. com·bi·na·to·ri·al / ˌkämbənəˈtôrēəl; kəmˌbīnə-/ adj. ( Math. ) com·bi·na·to·ri·al·ly adv. ( Math. ) com·bi·na·to·ry / kəmˈbīnəˌtôre; ˈkämbənə-/ adj. |
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"combination." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "combination." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-combination.html "combination." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-combination.html |
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Combination
COMBINATIONIncriminal law, an agreement between two or more people to act jointly for an unlawful purpose; a conspiracy. In patent law, the joining together of several separate inventions to produce a new invention. An illegal combination in restraint of trade, defined under the sherman anti-trust act, is one in which the conspirators agree expressly or impliedly to use devices such as price-fixing agreements to eliminate competition in a certain locality, e.g., when a group of furniture manufacturers refuse to deliver goods to stores that sell their goods for under a certain price. In patent law a combination is distinguishable from an aggregation in that it is a joint operation of elements that produces a new result as opposed to a mere grouping together of old elements. This is important in determining whether or not something is patentable, since no valid patent can extend to an aggregation. |
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"Combination." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Combination." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437700951.html "Combination." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437700951.html |
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combination
combination
1. A subset of a finite set of elements. The number of combinations of n distinct objects taken k at a time is nCk = n!/[k!(n–k)!] 2. A method of combining functions in a parallel manner (compare composition). For functions f and g, f : S → T and g : U → V the combination f × g is such that f × g : S × U → T × V where S × U and T × V are Cartesian products, and (f × g)(s,u) = (f(s),g(u)) (see ordered pair). |
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JOHN DAINTITH. "combination." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN DAINTITH. "combination." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-combination.html JOHN DAINTITH. "combination." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-combination.html |
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Combination
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Cite this article
"Combination." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Combination." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505300358.html "Combination." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505300358.html |
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combination
combination in business: see trust . |
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Cite this article
"combination." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "combination." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-combina-bus.html "combination." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-combina-bus.html |
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