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View synonyms for factor

factor

[ fak-ter ]

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.
  8. Scot. the steward or bailiff of an estate.


verb (used with object)

  1. 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 ).
  2. to act as a factor for.

verb (used without object)

  1. to act as a factor.

verb phrase

  1. to include as an essential element, especially in forecasting or planning:

    You must factor insurance payments into the cost of maintaining a car.

factor

/ ˈfæktə /

noun

  1. an element or cause that contributes to a result
  2. maths
    1. one of two or more integers or polynomials whose product is a given integer or polynomial

      2 and 3 are factors of 6

    2. 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. foll by identifying numeral med any of several substances that participate in the clotting of blood

    factor VIII

  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. See gene
    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


verb

  1. intr to engage in the business of a factor

factor

/ făktər /

Noun

  1. One of two or more numbers or expressions that are multiplied to obtain a given product. For example, 2 and 3 are factors of 6, and a + b and a b are factors of a 2b 2.
  2. A substance found in the body, such as a protein, that is essential to a biological process. For example, growth factors are needed for proper cell growth and development.


Verb

  1. 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.

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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

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Derived Forms

  • ˌfactoraˈbility, noun
  • ˈfactorable, adjective
  • ˈfactorˌship, noun

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Other Words From

  • 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
  • un·factor·a·ble adjective
  • un·factored adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of factor1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English facto(u)r, from Latin factor “maker, perpetrator,” equivalent to fac(ere) “to make, do” + -tor agent noun suffix; -tor

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Word History and Origins

Origin of factor1

C15: from Latin: one who acts, from facere to do

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Example Sentences

It can differ from a person’s chronological age owing to health and lifestyle factors, as well as genetics.

From Fortune

So, ideally, we’d want to know how well each vaccine works in people with the most significant risk factors.

From Axios

Price tends to be a significant factor in the success of a video game console.

From Fortune

Key factor that’s already changing rankings is Cumulative Layout Shift.

No single factor can explain, say, why one person pursues a life of crime and another excels in college.

It is the steady accretion of detail that may yet be the most damaging factor in the battle for British hearts and minds.

The quality of the music is a major factor in this recent surge.

Therefore in our view we need to talk about our wood management before any other factor in the maturation of The Macallan.

But while the GoPro is impressive by itself, it has some serious wow factor when combined with a drone.

The main factor at the time was simply a lack of opportunity before we ended the book for the big New 52 line-wide relaunch.

Where goods are confided to a factor without instructions, authority to exercise a fair and reasonable discretion is implied.

The authority of a factor to fix the terms of selling may be by agreement or by usage, like any other agent.

A factor is employed to sell goods, and not to barter or exchange them, and if he should do this his principal could recover them.

The true causes of the depression were not within the control of the Insular Government or of any ruling factor.

This pronunciation of the nasal vowels in French is, as is well known, an important factor in the famous "accent du Midi."

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