Dictionary
fac•tor
Pronunciation: (fak'tur), [key]—
n.
1. one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation:
Poverty is only one of the factors in crime.
2. Math.one of two or more numbers, algebraic expressions, or the like, that when multiplied together produce a given product; a divisor:
6 and 3 are factors of 18.
3. Biochem.any of certain substances necessary to a biochemical or physiological process, esp. those whose exact nature and function are unknown.
4. a business organization that lends money on accounts receivable or buys and collects accounts receivable.
5. a person who acts or transacts business for another; an agent.
6. an agent entrusted with the possession of goods to be sold in the agent's name; a merchant earning a commission by selling goods belonging to others.
7. a person or business organization that provides money for another's new business venture; one who finances another's business.
8. See
factor of production.
9. Scot.the steward or bailiff of an estate.
—
v.t.
1. Math.to express (a mathematical quantity) as a product of two or more quantities of like kind, as 30 = 2•3•5, or
x2 -
y2 = (
x +
y) (
x - y). Cf.
expand (def. 4a).
2. to act as a factor for.
—
v.i.
1. to act as a factor.
2. factor in or into, to include as an essential element, esp. in forecasting or planning:
You must factor insurance payments into the cost of maintaining a car. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
