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determinant - 6 dictionary results

de⋅ter⋅mi⋅nant

  [di-tur-muh-nuhnt]
Use determinant in a Sentence
–noun
1. a determining agent or factor.
2. Mathematics. an algebraic expression of the sum of products of elements, each with an appropriate algebraic sign, usually written in a square array and used in the solution of systems of linear equations.
3. Also called antigenic determinant, epitope. Immunology. any site on an antigen molecule at which an antibody can bind, the chemical structure of the site determining the specific combining antibody.
4. Genetics Archaic. a gene.
Origin:
1600–10; < L dēterminant- (s. of dētermināns), prp. of dētermināre. See determine, -ant
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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de·ter·mi·nant   (dĭ-tûr'mə-nənt)   
adj.  Determinative.
n.  
  1. An influencing or determining element or factor: "Education is the second most important determinant of recreational participation" (John P. Robinson).
  2. Mathematics The value that is computed from a square matrix of numbers by a rule of combining products of the matrix entries and that characterizes the solvablitity of simultaneous linear equations. Its absolute value can be interpreted as an area or volume.
  3. Immunology An epitope.
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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Determinant

De*ter"mi*nant\, a. [L. determinans, p. pr. of determinare: cf. F. d['e]terminant.] Serving to determine or limit; determinative.

Determinant

De*ter"mi*nant\, n. 1. That which serves to determine; that which causes determination.

2. (Math.) The sum of a series of products of several numbers, these products being formed according to certain specified laws;

Note: thus, the determinant of the nine numbers a, b, c,a', b', c',a", b", c", is a b' c" - a b" c' + a' b" c] - a' b c" + a" b' c. The determinant is written by placing the numbers from which it is formed in a square between two vertical lines. The theory of determinants forms a very important branch of modern mathematics.

3. (Logic) A mark or attribute, attached to the subject or predicate, narrowing the extent of both, but rendering them more definite and precise. --Abp. Thomson.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Main Entry: de·ter·mi·nant
Pronunciation: di-'t&rm-(&-)n&nt
Function: noun
1 a : a hypothetical aggregate ofbiophores conceived as comparable to the gene of more recent biological theory b : GENE
2 : EPITOPE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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determinant de·ter·mi·nant (dĭ-tûr'mə-nənt)
n.

  1. An influencing or determining element or factor.
  2. Antigenic determinant.
adj.
Tending or serving to determine.

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