Coefficient definitions

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

COEFFICIENT, n.
1. That which unites in action with something else to produce the same effect.
2. In algebra, a number or known quantity put before letters, or quantities, known or unknown, and into which it is supposed to be multiplied; as in 3x and ax, 3 and a are the coefficients of x.
3. In fluxions, the coefficient of any generating term is the quantity which arises from the division of that term by the generated quantity.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a constant number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: New Latin coefficient-, coefficiens, from Latin co- + efficient-, efficiens efficient Date: circa 1715 1. any of the factors of a product considered in relation to a specific factor; especially a constant factor of a term as distinguished from a variable 2. a. a number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic (as of a substance, device, or process) <coefficient of expansion of a metal> b. measure

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 Math. a quantity placed before and multiplying an algebraic expression (e.g. 4 in 4x(y)). 2 Physics a multiplier or factor that measures some property (coefficient of expansion). Etymology: mod.L coefficiens (as CO-, EFFICIENT)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Coefficient Co`ef*fi"cient, a. Co["o]perating; acting together to produce an effect. Co`ef*fi"cient*ly, adv.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Coefficient Co`ef*fi"cient, n. 1. That which unites in action with something else to produce the same effect. 2. [Cf. F. coefficient.] (Math.) A number or letter put before a letter or quantity, known or unknown, to show how many times the latter is to be taken; as, 6x; bx; here 6 and b are coefficients of x. 3. (Physics) A number, commonly used in computation as a factor, expressing the amount of some change or effect under certain fixed conditions as to temperature, length, volume, etc.; as, the coefficient of expansion; the coefficient of friction. Arbitrary coefficient (Math.), a literal coefficient placed arbitrarily in an algebraic expression, the value of the coefficient being afterwards determined by the conditions of the problem.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(coefficients) A coefficient is a number that expresses a measurement of a particular quality of a substance or object under specified conditions. (TECHNICAL) ...production coefficients... N-COUNT: usu with supp

Moby Thesaurus

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