factor
Use Factor in a sentence
tər noun
1.
one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation: Poverty is only one of the factors in crime.
2.
Mathematics. one of two or more numbers, algebraic expressions, or the like, that when multiplied together produce a given product; a divisor: 6 and 3 are factors of 18.
3.
Biochemistry. any of certain substances necessary to a biochemical or physiological process, especially those whose exact nature and function are unknown.
4.
a business organization that lends money on accounts receivable or buys and collects accounts receivable.
5.
a person who acts or transacts business for another; an agent.
6.
an agent entrusted with the possession of goods to be sold in the agent's name; a merchant earning a commission by selling goods belonging to others.
7.
a person or business organization that provides money for another's new business venture; one who finances another's business.
9.
Scot. the steward or bailiff of an estate.
verb (used with object)
10.
Mathematics. to express (a mathematical quantity) as a product of two or more quantities of like kind, as 30 = 2·3·5, or x 2 − y 2 = ( x + y ) ( x − y ). Compare expand ( def 4a ).
11.
to act as a factor for.
00:10
Factor
is always a great word to know.
So is function. Does it mean:
| the letter used as the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, or the ratio itself: 3.141592+ |
| a relation between two sets in which one element of the second set is assigned to each element of the first set, the operator |
verb (used without object)
Verb phrases 12.
to act as a factor.
13.
factor ininto, to include as an essential element, especially in forecasting or planning: You must factor insurance payments into the cost of maintaining a car.
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English facto(u)r < Latin factor maker, perpetrator, equivalent to fac(ere) to make, do + -tor -tor
1400–50; late Middle English facto(u)r < Latin factor maker, perpetrator, equivalent to fac(ere) to make, do + -tor -tor
Related forms
fac·tor·a·ble, adjective
fac·tor·a·bil·i·ty, noun
fac·tor·ship, noun
sub·fac·tor, noun
un·der·fac·tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
factor IX
noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To factor
Collins
World English Dictionary
factor (ˈfæktə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | an element or cause that contributes to a result |
| 2. | maths |
| a. one of two or more integers or polynomials whose product is a given integer or polynomial: 2 and 3 are factors of 6 | |
| b. an integer or polynomial that can be exactly divided into another integer or polynomial: 1, 2, 3, and 6 are all factors of 6 | |
| 3. | (
|
| 4. | a person who acts on another's behalf, esp one who transacts business for another |
| 5. | commerce a business that makes loans in return for or on security of trade debts |
| 6. | former name for a gene |
| 7. | commercial law a person to whom goods are consigned for sale and who is paid a factorage |
| 8. | (in Scotland) the manager of an estate |
| —vb | |
| 9. | (intr) to engage in the business of a factor |
| [C15: from Latin: one who acts, from facere to do] | |
| usage Factor (sense 1) should only be used to refer to something which contributes to a result. It should not be used to refer to a part of something such as a plan or arrangement; instead a word such as component or element should be used | |
| 'factorable | |
| —adj | |
| factora'bility | |
| —n | |
| 'factorship | |
| —n | |
| factor VIII | |
| —n | |
| a protein that participates in the clotting of blood. It is extracted from donated serum and used in the treatment of the commonest type of haemophilia, in which it is absent | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
factor
early 15c., "agent, deputy," from M.Fr. facteur "agent, representative," from L. factor "doer or maker," from facere "to do" (see factitious). Sense of "circumstance producing a result" is from 1816; the v. use in mathematics is attested from 1837. Related: Factored; factoring.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
factor fac·tor (fāk'tər)
n.
One that contributes in the cause of an action.
A mathematical component that by multiplication makes up a number or expression.
A gene.
A substance, such as a vitamin, that functions in a specific biochemical reaction or bodily process, such as blood coagulation.
factor VIII n.
A factor in the clotting of blood, a deficiency of which is associated with hemophilia A. Also called antihemophilic factor, antihemophilic globulin, antihemophilic globulin A, proserum prothrombin conversion accelerator.
factor IX n.
A factor in the clotting of blood necessary for the formation of intrinsic blood thromboplastin; a deficiency of it causes hemophilia B. Also called antihemophilic globulin B, Christmas factor.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| factor (fāk'tər) Pronunciation Key
Noun
Verb To find the factors of a number or expression. For example, the number 12 can be factored into 2 and 6, or 3 and 4, or 1 and 12. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Jargon
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FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary
factor definition
A quantity which is multiplied by another quantity.
See also divisor.
[Jargon File]
Example sentences
Motivation to recover is a key factor in obtaining an optimal level of rehabilitation.
The problem is that the measured difference is too small by a factor of a billion to explain the amount of matter in the universe.
But that doesn't mean trafficking is the only important factor in the human disease.
One key factor in the performance of a bow is size to draw length ratio.
Nearby Words
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