First Known Use: circa 1715
Dictionary
coefficient
noun co·ef·fi·cient \ˌkō-ə-ˈfi-shənt\
mathematics : a number by which another number or symbol is multiplied
physics : a number that is used to measure some property or characteristic of a substance
Full Definition of COEFFICIENT
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
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Origin of COEFFICIENT
New Latin coefficient-, coefficiens, from Latin co- + efficient-, efficiens efficient
Rhymes with COEFFICIENT
Medical Dictionary
coefficient
noun co·ef·fi·cient \ˌkō-ə-ˈfish-ənt\
Medical Definition of COEFFICIENT
: a number that serves as a measure of some property (as of a substance) or characteristic (as of a device or process) and that is commonly used as a factor in computations <the coefficient of expansion of a metal>—see absorption coefficient
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