factor

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: componentconstituentelementingredientdivisoragentbrokergenecistronfactor infactor out

WordNet 3.0

Noun (7)

  1. anything that contributes causally to a result“a number of factors determined the outcome”
  2. an abstract part of something“jealousy was a component of his character”“two constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmony”“the grammatical elements of a sentence”“a key factor in her success”“humor: an effective ingredient of a speech”Synonyms: componentconstituentelementingredient
  3. one of two or more integers that can be exactly divided into another integer“what are the 4 factors of 6?”Synonyms: divisor
  4. a businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commissionSynonyms: agentbroker
  5. any of the numbers (or symbols) that form a product when multiplied together
  6. an independent variable in statistics
  7. (genetics) a segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding DNA as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity“genes were formerly called factors”Synonyms: genecistron

Verb (3)

  1. resolve into factors“a quantum computer can factor the number 15”Synonyms: factor infactor out
  2. be a contributing factor“make things factor into a company's profitability”
  3. consider as relevant when making a decision“You must factor in the recent developments”Synonyms: factor infactor out
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Factor \Fac"tor\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Factored (-t[e^]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Factoring.] (Mach.) To resolve (a quantity) into its factors. [1913 Webster]
Factor \Fac"tor\, n. [L. factor a doer: cf. F. facteur a factor. See Fact.]

1.(Law) One who transacts business for another; an agent; a substitute; especially, a mercantile agent who buys and sells goods and transacts business for others in commission; a commission merchant or consignee. He may be a home factor or a foreign factor. He may buy and sell in his own name, and he is intrusted with the possession and control of the goods; and in these respects he differs from a broker. --Story. --Wharton. [1913 Webster]

My factor sends me word, a merchant's fled That owes me for a hundred tun of wine.— Marlowe.[1913 Webster]

2.A steward or bailiff of an estate. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

3.(Math.) One of the elements or quantities which, when multiplied together, form a product. [1913 Webster]

4.One of the elements, circumstances, or influences which contribute to produce a result; a constituent; a contributory cause. [1913 Webster +PJC]

The materal and dynamical factors of nutrition.— H. Spencer.[1913 Webster]

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing

factor

A quantity which is multiplied by another quantity.

See also divisor. [Jargon File]

The Jargon File

factor n.

See coefficient of X.

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