Background for vector

vector

/ˈvɛktə/ /ˈvɛktɚ/

Illustration vector - Image 1

noun

A directed quantity, one with both magnitude and direction; the signed difference between two points.

Examples :

"The wind's vector pointed directly north at 15 miles per hour, making it hard to ride my bike home. "

math physics science direction

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noun

An ordered tuple representing a directed quantity or the signed difference between two points.

Examples :

"The GPS app calculated the vector of my walk, showing both the distance and direction I traveled from home. "

math physics technical computing space direction

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noun

Any member of a (generalized) vector space.

Examples :

"The vectors in {mathbb Q}[X] are the single-variable polynomials with rational coefficients: one is extstyle x^{42}+rac1{137}x-1."

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noun

A chosen course or direction for motion, as of an aircraft.

Examples :

"The air traffic controller gave the airplane a new vector to avoid the storm. "

direction vehicle technical military

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noun

A carrier of a disease-causing agent.

Examples :

"The mosquito is a vector for malaria. "

medicine disease organism biology insect

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noun

(by extension) A person or entity that passes along an urban legend or other meme.

Examples :

"My cousin is a total vector for internet rumors; he spreads every strange conspiracy theory he reads online. "

culture internet media communication

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noun

A recurring psychosocial issue that stimulates growth and development in the personality.

Examples :

"The challenge of moving to a new country, though difficult, became a powerful vector for her self-discovery and resilience. "

mind character human

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noun

The way in which the eyes are drawn across the visual text. The trail that a book cover can encourage the eyes to follow from certain objects to others.

Examples :

"The designer used a strong visual vector, starting with the bold title and leading the eye down to the captivating image on the book cover. "

art media style direction communication

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noun

(operating systems) A memory address containing the address of a code entry point, usually one which is part of a table and often one that is dereferenced and jumped to during the execution of an interrupt.

Examples :

"The operating system uses a vector, stored in a table, to quickly find the specific code that handles a keyboard interrupt. "

computing technology electronics technical system function

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noun

A one-dimensional array.

Examples :

"The grocery list, with each item listed one after another, is a simple vector. "

computing math technology

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noun

A graphical representation using outlines; vector graphics.

Examples :

"a vector image"

art technology computing

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noun

A DNA molecule used to carry genetic information from one organism into another.

Examples :

"Scientists used a bacterial vector to insert a new gene into the crop plants. "

biology biochemistry medicine science technology organism technical

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verb

To set (particularly an aircraft) on a course toward a selected point.

Examples :

""Air traffic control had to vector the diverted plane towards a smaller, nearby airport due to the severe storm." "

nautical vehicle direction military technology

Illustration vector - Image 1

verb

To redirect to a vector, or code entry point.

Examples :

"The computer system vectored all incoming email to the spam folder. "

computing technology internet technical