factor

 
Pronunciation: /ˈfaktə/

noun

  • 1a circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result: his skill was a factor in ensuring that so much was achieved she worked fast, conscious of the time factor
  • Biology a gene that determines a hereditary characteristic: the Rhesus factor
  • 2a number or quantity that when multiplied with another produces a given number or expression: an amount that exceeds it by a factor of 1000 or more
  • Mathematics a number or algebraic expression by which another is exactly divisible.
  • 3a level on a scale of measurement.
  • (with numeral) a sunscreen of the sun protection factor specified: factor 30 sun cream
  • 4 Physiology any of a number of substances in the blood, mostly identified by numerals, which are involved in coagulation. See factor VIII.
  • 5an agent who buys and sells goods on commission: his father was chief factor for the Hudson’s Bay Company
  • a company that buys a manufacturer’s invoices at a discount and takes responsibility for collecting the payments due on them.
  • Scottish a land agent or steward: the house became home to the estate factor

verb

[with object]
  • 1 Mathematicsanother term for factorize. last year researchers factored a number 155 digits long
  • 2(of a company) sell (its invoices) to a factor: they collected rents while he factored these forfeited estates

Phrasal Verbs

factor something in (or out)

include (or exclude) something as a relevant element when making a decision: when the psychological costs are factored in, a different picture will emerge

Derivatives

factorable

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English (meaning 'doer', also in the Scots sense 'agent'): from French facteur or Latin factor, from fact- 'done', from the verb facere