Dictionary entries for 'vector'

Synonyms

vec·tor (vĕḱtər)

[Latin, carrier, from vehere, vect-, to carry.]

noun

Mathematics
1. A quantity, such as velocity, completely specified by a magnitude and a direction.
2. A one-dimensional array.
3. An element of a vector space.
Pathology An organism, such as a mosquito or tick, that carries disease-causing microorganisms from one host to another.
Genetics A bacteriophage, plasmid, or other agent that transfers genetic material from one cell to another.
A force or influence.
A course or direction, as of an airplane.

To guide (a pilot or aircraft, for example) by means of radio communication according to vectors.