parameters
Use Parameters in a sentence
ɪRelated forms
4, 5. Some object strongly to the use of parameter in these newer senses. Nevertheless, the criticized uses are now well established both in educated speech and in edited writing.
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
parameter (pəˈræmɪtə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | See parametric equations one of a number of auxiliary variables in terms of which all the variables in an implicit functional relationship can be explicitly expressed |
| 2. | a variable whose behaviour is not being considered and which may for present purposes be regarded as a constant, as y in the partial derivative ∂f(x,y)/∂x |
| 3. | statistics Compare statistic a characteristic of the distribution of a population, such as its mean, as distinct from that of a sample |
| 4. | informal any constant or limiting factor: a designer must work within the parameters of budget and practicality |
| [C17: from New Latin; see | |
| parametric | |
| —adj | |
| para'metrical | |
| —adj | |
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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parameter
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parameter pa·ram·e·ter (pə-rām'ĭ-tər)
n.
One of a set of measurable factors, such as temperature and pressure, that define a system and determine its behavior and are varied in an experiment.
A factor that determines a range of variations; a boundary.
A statistical quantity, such as a mean or standard deviation of a total population, that is calculated from data and describes a characteristic of the population as opposed to a sample from the population.
A psychoanalytic tactic, other than interpretation, used by the analyst to further the patient's progress.
A factor that restricts what is possible or what results. Not in technical use.
A distinguishing characteristic or feature. Not in technical use.
par'a·met'ric (pār'ə-mět'rĭk) or par'a·met'ri·cal adj.
par'a·met'ri·cal·ly adv.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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A quantity or number on which some other quantity or number depends. An informal example is, “Depending on the traffic, it takes me between twenty minutes and an hour to drive to work”; here, “traffic” is the parameter that determines the time it takes to get to work. In statistics, a parameter is an unknown characteristic of a population — for example, the number of women in a particular precinct who will vote Democratic.
Note: The term is often mistakenly used to refer to the limits of possible values a variable can have because of confusion with the word perimeter.
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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