Adjacent Words

Exponent definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

EXPO'NENT, n. [L. exponens; expono, to expose or set forth; ex and pono, to place.]
1. In algebra, the number or figure which, placed above a root at the right hand, denotes how often that root is repeated, or how many multiplications are necessary to produce the power. Thus a[2] denotes the second power of the root a, or aa: a[4] denotes the fourth power. The figure is the exponent or index of the power.
2. The exponent of the ratio or proportion between two numbers or quantities, is the quotient arising when the antecedent is divided by the consequent. Thus six is the exponent of the ratio of thirty to five.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea [syn: advocate, advocator, proponent, exponent]
2: someone who expounds and interprets or explains
3: a mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself [syn: exponent, power, index]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Latin exponent-, exponens, present participle of exponere — more at expose Date: 1706 1. a symbol written above and to the right of a mathematical expression to indicate the operation of raising to a power 2. a. one that expounds or interprets b. one that champions, practices, or exemplifies

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & adj. --n. 1 a person who favours or promotes an idea etc. 2 a representative or practitioner of an activity, profession, etc. 3 a person who explains or interprets something. 4 an executant (of music etc.). 5 a type or representative. 6 Math. a raised symbol or expression beside a numeral indicating how many times it is to be multiplied by itself (e.g. 2(3) = 2 x 2 x 2). --adj. that sets forth or interprets. Etymology: L exponere (as EX-(1), ponere posit- put)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Exponent Ex*po"nent, n. [L. exponens, -entis, p. pr. of exponere to put out, set forth, expose. See Expound.] 1. (Alg.) A number, letter, or any quantity written on the right hand of and above another quantity, and denoting how many times the latter is repeated as a factor to produce the power indicated; Note: thus a^2 denotes the second power, and a^n the xth power, of a (2 and x being the exponents). A fractional exponent, or index, is used to denote the root of a quantity. Thus, a^1/3 denotes the third or cube root of a. 2. One who, or that which, stands as an index or representative; as, the leader of a party is the exponent of its principles. Exponent of a ratio, the quotient arising when the antecedent is divided by the consequent; thus, 6 is the exponent of the ratio of 30 to 5. [R.]

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(exponents) 1. An exponent of an idea, theory, or plan is a person who supports and explains it, and who tries to persuade other people that it is a good idea. (FORMAL) ...a leading exponent of test-tube baby techniques. = advocate N-COUNT: usu N of n 2. An exponent of a particular skill or activity is a person who is good at it. ...the great exponent of expressionist dance, Kurt Jooss. N-COUNT: with supp

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Index, indication, representative, type, example, specimen, illustration.

Moby Thesaurus

Maecenas, abettor, admirer, advocate, aficionado, allegorist, alter ego, alternate, amicus curiae, angel, annotator, apologist, attorney, backer, backup, backup man, booster, buff, case, case in point, champion, cicerone, clarifier, commentator, critic, cross section, cryptanalyst, cryptographer, cryptologist, decoder, defender, definer, demonstration, demonstrator, demythologizer, dependence, deputy, diaskeuast, dragoman, dummy, editor, emblem, embodiment, emendator, emender, encourager, endorser, euhemerist, example, executive officer, exegesist, exegete, exegetist, exemplar, exemplification, explainer, explanation, explicator, expositor, expounder, fan, favorer, figurehead, friend at court, go-between, guide, hermeneut, illustration, instance, interpreter, lexicographer, lieutenant, locum, locum tenens, lover, mainstay, maintainer, metaphrast, object lesson, oneirocritic, paranymph, paraphrast, partisan, patron, pinch hitter, pleader, procurator, promoter, proponent, protagonist, proxy, relevant instance, reliance, representation, representative, scholiast, second, second in command, secondary, seconder, sectary, sider, specimen, sponsor, stalwart, stand-in, standby, substitute, support, supporter, surrogate, sustainer, symbol, sympathizer, textual critic, translator, type, typical example, typification, understudy, upholder, utility man, vicar, vicar general, vice, vicegerent, votary, well-wisher