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Vectors

 - 6 dictionary results

vec⋅tor

  [vek-ter]
Use Vectors in a Sentence
–noun
1. Mathematics.
a. a quantity possessing both magnitude and direction, represented by an arrow the direction of which indicates the direction of the quantity and the length of which is proportional to the magnitude. Compare scalar (def. 4).
b. such a quantity with the additional requirement that such quantities obey the parallelogram law of addition.
c. such a quantity with the additional requirement that such quantities are to transform in a particular way under changes of the coordinate system.
d. any generalization of the above quantities.
2. the direction or course followed by an airplane, missile, or the like.
3. Biology.
a. an insect or other organism that transmits a pathogenic fungus, virus, bacterium, etc.
b. any agent that acts as a carrier or transporter, as a virus or plasmid that conveys a genetically engineered DNA segment into a host cell.
4. Computers. an array of data ordered such that individual items can be located with a single index or subscript.
–verb (used with object)
5. Aeronautics. to guide (an aircraft) in flight by issuing appropriate headings.
6. Aerospace. to change direction of (the thrust of a jet or rocket engine) in order to steer the craft.
Origin:
1695–1705; < L: one that conveys, equiv. to vec-, var. s. of vehere to carry + -tor -tor

Related forms:
vec⋅to⋅ri⋅al  [vek-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr-] , adjective
vec⋅to⋅ri⋅al⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Vectors
vec·tor   (věk'tər)   
n.  

  1. Mathematics

    1. A quantity, such as velocity, completely specified by a magnitude and a direction.

    2. A one-dimensional array.

    3. An element of a vector space.

  2. Pathology An organism, such as a mosquito or tick, that carries disease-causing microorganisms from one host to another.

  3. Genetics A bacteriophage, plasmid, or other agent that transfers genetic material from one cell to another.

  4. A force or influence.

  5. A course or direction, as of an airplane.

tr.v.   vec·tored, vec·tor·ing, vec·tors
To guide (a pilot or aircraft, for example) by means of radio communication according to vectors.

[Latin, carrier, from vehere, vect-, to carry; see wegh- in Indo-European roots.]
vec·to'ri·al (věk-tôr'ē-əl, -tōr'-) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

vector

In physics and mathematics, any quantity with both a magnitude and a direction. For example, velocity is a vector because it describes both how fast something is moving and in what direction it is moving. Because velocity is a vector, other quantities in which velocity is a factor, such as acceleration and momentum, are vectors also.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

vector 
"quantity having magnitude and direction," 1704, from L. vector "one who carries or conveys, carrier," from pp. stem of vehere "carry, convey" (see vehicle).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2vector
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: vec·tored; vec·tor·ing /-t(&-)ri[ng]/
: totransmit (a pathogen or disease) from one organism to another : act as a vector for vectored by flies>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

vector vec·tor (věk'tər)
n.

  1. An organism, such as a mosquito or tick, that carries disease-causing microorganisms from one host to another.

  2. A bacteriophage, a plasmid, or another agent that transfers genetic material from one location to another.

  3. A quantity, such as velocity, completely specified by a magnitude and a direction.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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