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coefficient

 - 6 dictionary results

co⋅ef⋅fi⋅cient

  [koh-uh-fish-uhnt]
Use coefficient in a Sentence
–noun
1. Mathematics. a number or quantity placed (generally) before and multiplying another quantity, as 3 in the expression 3x.
2. Physics. a number that is constant for a given substance, body, or process under certain specified conditions, serving as a measure of one of its properties: coefficient of friction.
–adjective
3. acting in consort; cooperating.
Origin:
1655–65; < NL coefficient- (s. of coefficiēns). See co-, efficient

Related forms:
co⋅ef⋅fi⋅cient⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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co·ef·fi·cient   (kō'ə-fĭsh'ənt)   
n.  

  1. A number or symbol multiplied with a variable or an unknown quantity in an algebraic term, as 4 in the term 4x, or x in the term x(a + b).

  2. A numerical measure of a physical or chemical property that is constant for a system under specified conditions such as the coefficient of friction.

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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Word Origin & History

coefficient 
1665, from co- + efficient, probably influenced by Mod.L. coefficiens, used in mathematics 16c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: co·ef·fi·cient
Pronunciation: "kO-&-'fish-&nt
Function: noun
: a number that serves as a measure of some property(as of a substance) or characteristic (as of a device or process) and that is commonly used as a factor in computations coefficient of expansion of a metal> —see ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

coefficient co·ef·fi·cient (kō'ə-fĭsh'ənt)
n.
The mathematical expression of the amount or degree of any quality possessed by a substance, or of the degree of physical or chemical change normally occurring in that substance under stated conditions.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
coefficient   (kō'ə-fĭsh'ənt)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. A number or symbol multiplied with a variable or an unknown quantity in an algebraic term. For example, 4 is the coefficient in the term 4x, and x is the coefficient in x(a + b).

  2. A numerical measure of a physical or chemical property that is constant for a system under specified conditions. The speed of light in a vacuum, for example, is a constant.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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