|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
factor
fac·tor / ˈfaktər/ • n. 1. a circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result or outcome: his legal problems were not a factor in his decision she worked fast, conscious of the time factor. ∎ Biol. a gene that determines a hereditary characteristic: the Rhesus factor. 2. a number or quantity that when multiplied with another produces a given number or expression. ∎ Math. a number or algebraic expression by which another is exactly divisible. 3. Physiol. any of a number of substances in the blood, mostly identified by numerals, which are involved in coagulation. 4. a business agent; a merchant buying and selling on commission. ∎ a company that buys a manufacturer's invoices at a discount and takes responsibility for collecting the payments due on them. ∎ archaic an agent, deputy, or representative. • v. [tr.] 1. Math. express (a number or expression) as a product of factors. 2. sell (one's receivable debts) to a factor. PHRASAL VERBS: factor something in (or out) include (or exclude) something as a relevant element when making a calculation or decision: when the psychological costs are factored in, a different picture will emerge.DERIVATIVES: fac·tor·a·ble adj. |
|
|
Cite this article
"factor." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "factor." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-factor.html "factor." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-factor.html |
|
factor
factor in arithmetic, any number that divides a given number evenly, i.e., without any remainder. The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. Similarly in algebra, any one of the algebraic expressions multiplied by another to form a product is a factor of that product, e.g., a + b and a - b are factors of a2 - b 2 , since ( a + b )( a - b )= a2 - b2 . In general, if r is a root of a polynomial equation f ( x )=0, then ( x - r ) is a factor of the polynomial f ( x ). |
|
|
Cite this article
"factor." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "factor." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-factor.html "factor." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-factor.html |
|
Factor
FACTORAn event, circumstance, influence, or element that plays a part in bringing about a result. A factor in a case contributes to its causation or outcome. In the area of negligence law, the factors, or chain of causation, are important in determining whether liability ensues from a particular action done by the defendant. |
|
|
Cite this article
"Factor." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Factor." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437701730.html "Factor." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437701730.html |
|
factor
factor
1. (stat.) One of a pair or series of numbers which when multiplied together yield a given product. 2. (limiting factor) See LIMITING FACTOR. 3. (ecological factor) See LIMITING FACTOR. |
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "factor." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "factor." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-factor.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "factor." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-factor.html |
|
factor
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "factor." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "factor." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-factor.html T. F. HOAD. "factor." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-factor.html |
|
factor
factor
1. In statistics, one of a pair or series of numbers which yield a given product when multiplied together. 2. (ecological factor) See limiting factor. |
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "factor." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "factor." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-factor.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "factor." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-factor.html |
|
factor
factor In mathematics, any number that divides exactly into a given number. For example, the factors of 72 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 36.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"factor." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "factor." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-factor.html "factor." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-factor.html |
|
factor
factor n. a circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result or outcome: she worked fast, conscious of the time factor.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"factor." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "factor." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-factor.html "factor." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-factor.html |
|
factor
factor
•attar, batter, bespatter, chatter, clatter, flatter, hatter, Kenyatta, latter, matamata, matter, natter, patter, platter, ratter, regatta, satyr, scatter, shatter, smatter, spatter, splatter, yatter
•abstractor, actor, attractor, compactor, contractor, enactor, exactor, extractor, factor, infractor, protractor, redactor, refractor, tractor, transactor
•Atlanta, banter, canter, infanta, levanter, manta, ranter, Santa, tam-o'-shanter
•adaptor, captor, chapter, raptor
•Antofagasta, aster, Astor, canasta, Jocasta, oleaster, pasta, piastre (US piaster), pilaster, poetaster, Rasta, Zoroaster
•dragster, gagster
•Baxter • prankster • hamster
•gangsta, gangster
•malefactor • benefactor
•pitter-patter • subcontractor
•chiropractor
|
|
|
Cite this article
"factor." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "factor." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-factor.html "factor." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-factor.html |
|