magnitude

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmagnɪtjuːd/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the great size or extent of something: they may feel discouraged at the magnitude of the task before them
  • great importance: events of tragic magnitude
  • 2size: electorates of less than average magnitude
  • [count noun] a numerical quantity or value: the magnitudes of all the economic variables could be determined
  • 3the degree of brightness of a star, as represented by a number on a logarithmic scale: [count noun]: the brightest stars have the lowest magnitudes
  • [count noun] the class into which a star falls by virtue of its brightness: a star of the fifth magnitude
  • [count noun] a difference of one on a scale of brightness, treated as a unit of measurement: a range of a tenth of a magnitude

Phrases

of the first magnitude

see first

Origin:

late Middle English (also in the sense 'greatness of character'): from Latin magnitudo, from magnus 'great'