vector

[ vek-ter ]
/ ˈvɛk tər /

noun

Mathematics.
  1. a quantity possessing both magnitude and direction, represented by an arrow the direction of which indicates the direction of the quantity and the length of which is proportional to the magnitude.Compare scalar(def 4).
  2. such a quantity with the additional requirement that such quantities obey the parallelogram law of addition.
  3. such a quantity with the additional requirement that such quantities are to transform in a particular way under changes of the coordinate system.
  4. any generalization of the above quantities.
the direction or course followed by an airplane, missile, or the like.
Biology.
  1. an insect or other organism that transmits a pathogenic fungus, virus, bacterium, etc.
  2. any agent that acts as a carrier or transporter, as a virus or plasmid that conveys a genetically engineered DNA segment into a host cell.
Computers. an array of data ordered such that individual items can be located with a single index or subscript.

verb (used with object)

Aeronautics. to guide (an aircraft) in flight by issuing appropriate headings.
Aerospace. to change direction of (the thrust of a jet or rocket engine) in order to steer the craft.

Origin of vector

1695–1705; < Latin: one that conveys, equivalent to vec-, variant stem of vehere to carry + -tor -tor

OTHER WORDS FROM vector

vec·to·ri·al [vek-tawr-ee-uh l, -tohr-] /vɛkˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr-/, adjective vec·to·ri·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby vector

vealy, veblen, veblenian, veblenism, vection, vector, vector addition, vector analysis, vector boson, vector field, vector font

British Dictionary definitions for vectorial

vector
/ (ˈvɛktə) /

noun

verb (tr)

to direct or guide (a pilot, aircraft, etc) by directions transmitted by radio
to alter the direction of (the thrust of a jet engine) as a means of steering an aircraft

Derived forms of vector

vectorial (vɛkˈtɔːrɪəl), adjective vectorially, adverb

Word Origin for vector

C18: from Latin: carrier, from vehere to convey

Medical definitions for vectorial (1 of 2)

vectorial
[ vĕk-tôr′ē-əl ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or characterized by a vector.

Medical definitions for vectorial (2 of 2)

vector
[ vĕk′tər ]

n.

An organism, such as a mosquito or tick, that carries disease-causing microorganisms from one host to another.
A bacteriophage, a plasmid, or another agent that transfers genetic material from one location to another.
A quantity, such as velocity, completely specified by a magnitude and a direction.

Scientific definitions for vectorial

vector
[ vĕk′tər ]

A quantity, such as the velocity of an object or the force acting on an object, that has both magnitude and direction. Compare scalar.
An organism, such as a mosquito or tick, that spreads pathogens from one host to another.
A bacteriophage, plasmid, or other agent that transfers genetic material from one cell to another.

Cultural definitions for vectorial

vector

In physics and mathematics, any quantity with both a magnitude and a direction. For example, velocity is a vector because it describes both how fast something is moving and in what direction it is moving. Because velocity is a vector, other quantities in which velocity is a factor, such as acceleration and momentum, are vectors also.