coefficient
noun /ˌkəʊɪˈfɪʃnt/
/ˌkəʊɪˈfɪʃnt/
- (mathematics) a number that is placed before another quantity and that multiplies it, for example 3 in the quantity 3x
- (physics) a number that measures a particular property (= characteristic) of a substance
- the coefficient of friction
Word Originmid 17th cent. (in the sense ‘cooperating to produce a result’): from modern Latin coefficient-, from com- ‘together’ + efficient- ‘accomplishing’.