'Determinant' definitions:

Definition of 'determinant'

From: WordNet
adjective
Having the power or quality of deciding; "the crucial experiment"; "cast the deciding vote"; "the determinative (or determinant) battle" [syn: deciding(a), determinant, determinative, determining(a)]
noun
A determining or causal element or factor; "education is an important determinant of one's outlook on life" [syn: determinant, determiner, determinative, determining factor, causal factor]
noun
The site on the surface of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself [syn: antigenic determinant, determinant, epitope]
noun
A square matrix used to solve simultaneous equations

Definition of 'Determinant'

From: GCIDE
  • Determinant \De*ter"mi*nant\, a. [L. determinans, p. pr. of determinare: cf. F. d['e]terminant.] Serving to determine or limit; determinative. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Determinant'

From: GCIDE
  • Determinant \De*ter"mi*nant\, n.
  • 1. That which serves to determine; that which causes determination. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Math.) The sum of a series of products of several numbers, these products being formed according to certain specified laws;
  • Note: thus, the determinant of the nine numbers a, b, c,a', b', c',a'', b'', c'', is a b' c'' - a b'' c' + a' b'' c] - a' b c'' + a'' b' c. The determinant is written by placing the numbers from which it is formed in a square between two vertical lines. The theory of determinants forms a very important branch of modern mathematics. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Logic) A mark or attribute, attached to the subject or predicate, narrowing the extent of both, but rendering them more definite and precise. --Abp. Thomson. [1913 Webster]