A vector is a variable quantity, such as force, that has size and direction.
[technical]
2. countable noun
A vector is an insect or other organism that causes a disease by carrying a germ or parasite from one person or animal to another.
[medicine]
vector in British English
(ˈvɛktə)
noun
1. Also called: polar vector mathematics
a variable quantity, such as force, that has magnitude and direction and can be resolved into components that are odd functions of the coordinates. It is represented in print by a bold italic symbol: F or ̄F
an organism, esp an insect, that carries a disease-producing microorganism from one host to another, either within or on the surface of its body
4. Also called: cloning vector genetics
an agent, such as a bacteriophage or a plasmid, by means of which a fragment of foreign DNA is inserted into a host cell to produce a gene clone in genetic engineering
5.
the course or compass direction of an aircraft
6.
any behavioural influence, force, or drive
verb(transitive)
7.
to direct or guide (a pilot, aircraft, etc) by directions transmitted by radio
8.
to alter the direction of (the thrust of a jet engine) as a means of steering an aircraft
Derived forms
vectorial (vɛkˈtɔːrɪəl)
adjective
vectorially (vecˈtorially)
adverb
Word origin
C18: from Latin: carrier, from vehere to convey
vector in American English
(ˈvɛktər)
noun
1. Biology
an animal, esp. an insect, that transmits a disease-producing organism from a hostto a noninfected animal
2. Ancient Mathematics
a.
a mathematical expression denoting a combination of magnitude and direction, as velocity
see also scalar
b.
a directed line segment representing such an expression
c.
an ordered set of real numbers, each denoting a distance on a coordinate axis
3.
the particular course followed or to be followed, as by an aircraft; compass heading
verb transitive
4.
to guide (a pilot, aircraft, missile, etc.) by means of a vector (sense 3) sent by radio
Derived forms
vectorial (vecˈtorial) (vɛkˈtɔriəl)
adjective
vectorially (vecˈtorially)
adverb
Word origin
ModL < L, bearer, carrier < vectus, pp. of vehere, to carry: see way
Examples of 'vector' in a sentence
vector
Caledonia, we are a Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter and we are approaching you on a radar vector from the north.
Lunnon-Wood, Mike LET NOT THE DEEP (2002)
Gritting his teeth, Leonard ran his eye along the bottom vector of the chart to the exact month, day and time of day she had given.
Stewart, Michael GRACE (2002)
Pumping in antisense RNA with a shuttle vector could block the gene products.
Greg Bear VITALS (2002)
All related terms of 'vector'
vector font
a font format that makes use of fillable geometric outlines of letters and symbols, allowing fonts to be scaled up or down while still retaining their intended shape
vector sum
a vector whose length and direction are represented by the diagonal of a parallelogram whose sides represent the given vectors
axial vector
a variable quantity, such as angular momentum , that has magnitude and orientation with respect to an axis . The components are even functions of the coordinates
polar vector
a variable quantity, such as force, that has magnitude and direction and can be resolved into components that are odd functions of the coordinates . It is represented in print by a bold italic symbol: F or ̄F
radius vector
a line joining a point in space to the origin of polar or spherical coordinates
vector field
a region of space under the influence of some vector quantity , such as magnetic field strength , in which the quantity takes a unique vector value at every point of the region
vector space
a mathematical structure consisting of a set of objects ( vectors ) associated with a field of objects ( scalars ), such that the set constitutes an Abelian group and a further operation , scalar multiplication , is defined in which the product of a scalar and a vector is a vector
cloning vector
a variable quantity, such as force, that has magnitude and direction and can be resolved into components that are odd functions of the coordinates . It is represented in print by a bold italic symbol: F or ̄F
vector analysis
the application of calculus to the study and use of vectors
vector product
the product of two vectors that is a pseudovector , whose magnitude is the product of the magnitudes of the given vectors and the sine of the angle between them. Its axis is perpendicular to the plane of the given vectors. Written : A × B or A ∧ B
linear space
a mathematical structure consisting of a set of objects ( vectors ) associated with a field of objects ( scalars ), such that the set constitutes an Abelian group and a further operation , scalar multiplication , is defined in which the product of a scalar and a vector is a vector
intermediate vector boson
a hypothetical particle believed to mediate the weak interaction between elementary particles
outline font
a font format that makes use of fillable geometric outlines of letters and symbols, allowing fonts to be scaled up or down while still retaining their intended shape
cross product
a vector perpendicular to two given vectors, u and v , and having magnitude equal to the product of the magnitudes of the two given vectors multiplied by the sine of the angle between the two given vectors, usually represented by u × v