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dimensionless

 - 6 dictionary results

di⋅men⋅sion

  [di-men-shuhn, dahy-]
Use dimensionless in a Sentence
–noun
1. Mathematics.
a. a property of space; extension in a given direction: A straight line has one dimension, a parallelogram has two dimensions, and a parallelepiped has three dimensions.
b. the generalization of this property to spaces with curvilinear extension, as the surface of a sphere.
c. the generalization of this property to vector spaces and to Hilbert space.
d. the generalization of this property to fractals, which can have dimensions that are noninteger real numbers.
e. extension in time: Space-time has three dimensions of space and one of time.
2. Usually, dimensions.
a. measurement in length, width, and thickness.
b. scope; importance: the dimensions of a problem.
3. unit (def. 6).
4. magnitude; size: Matter has dimension.
5. Topology.
a. a magnitude that, independently or in conjunction with other such magnitudes, serves to define the location of an element within a given set, as of a point on a line, an object in a space, or an event in space-time.
b. the number of elements in a finite basis of a given vector space.
6. Physics. any of a set of basic kinds of quantity, as mass, length, and time, in terms of which all other kinds of quantity can be expressed; usually denoted by capital letters, with appropriate exponents, placed in brackets: The dimensions of velocity are [LT−1]. Compare dimensional analysis.
7. dimensions, Informal. the measurements of a woman's bust, waist, and hips, in that order: The chorus girl's dimensions were 38-24-36.
8. dimension lumber.
–verb (used with object)
9. to shape or fashion to the desired dimensions: Dimension the shelves so that they fit securely into the cabinet.
10. to indicate the dimensions of an item, area, etc., on (a sketch or drawing).
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME dimensioun (< AF) < L dīmēnsiōn- (s. of dīmēnsiō) a measuring, equiv. to dīmēns(us) measured out (ptp. of dīmētīrī, equiv. to dī- di- 2 + mētīrī to measure) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
di⋅men⋅sion⋅al, adjective
di⋅men⋅sion⋅al⋅i⋅ty, noun
di⋅men⋅sion⋅al⋅ly, adverb
di⋅men⋅sion⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
2b. range, extent, magnitude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To dimensionless
di·men·sion   (dĭ-měn'shən, dī-)   
n.  

  1. A measure of spatial extent, especially width, height, or length.

  2. Extent or magnitude; scope. Often used in the plural: a problem of alarming dimensions.

  3. Aspect; element: "He's a good newsman, and he has that extra dimension" (William S. Paley).

  4. Mathematics

    1. The least number of independent coordinates required to specify uniquely the points in a space.

    2. The range of such a coordinate.

  5. Physics A physical property, such as mass, length, time, or a combination thereof, regarded as a fundamental measure or as one of a set of fundamental measures of a physical quantity: Velocity has the dimensions of length divided by time.

tr.v.   di·men·sioned, di·men·sion·ing, di·men·sions

  1. To cut or shape to specified dimensions.

  2. To mark with specified dimensions.


[Middle English dimensioun, from Latin dīmēnsiō, dīmēnsiōn-, extent, from dīmēnsus, past participle of dīmētīrī, to measure out : dī-, dis-, dis- + mētīrī, to measure; see mē-2 in Indo-European roots.]
di·men'sion·al adj., di·men'sion·al'i·ty (-shə-nāl'ĭ-tē) n., di·men'sion·al·ly adv., di·men'sion·less 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.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

dimension 
1413, from L. dimensionem (nom. dimensio), from stem of dimetri "to measure out," from dis- + metri "to measure."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: di·men·sion
Pronunciation: d&-'men-ch&n also dI-
Function: noun
: measure in one direction; specifically : one of three or four coordinates determining a position in space or space and time
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

dimension di·men·sion (dĭ-měn'shən, dī-)
n.

  1. A measure of spatial extent, especially width, height, or length.

  2. Scope or magnitude.

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
dimension   (dĭ-měn'shən)  Pronunciation Key 

    1. Any one of the three physical or spatial properties of length, area, and volume. In geometry, a point is said to have zero dimension; a figure having only length, such as a line, has one dimension; a plane or surface, two dimensions; and a figure having volume, three dimensions. The fourth dimension is often said to be time, as in the theory of General Relativity. Higher dimensions can be dealt with mathematically but cannot be represented visually.

    2. The measurement of a length, width, or thickness.

  2. A unit, such as mass, time, or charge, associated with a physical quantity and used as the basis for other measurements, such as acceleration.


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