array

[uh-rey]

verb (used with object)

1. to place in proper or desired order; marshal.

   Napoleon arrayed his troops for battle.

   Synonyms: dispose, order, range, arrange

2. to clothe with garments, especially of an ornamental kind; dress up; deck out.

   She arrayed herself in furs and diamonds.

   Synonyms: decorate, adorn, ornament, attire, dress, apparel

noun

1. order or arrangement, as of troops drawn up for battle.

   Synonyms: disposition

2. military force, especially a body of troops.

3. a large and impressive grouping or organization of things.

   He couldn't dismiss the array of facts.

   Synonyms: exhibition, exhibit, show

4. regular order or arrangement; series.

   an array of figures.

5. a large group, number, or quantity of people or things.

   an impressive array of scholars; an imposing array of books.

6. attire; dress.

   in fine array.

   Synonyms: raiment

7. an arrangement of interrelated objects or items of equipment for accomplishing a particular task.

   thousands of solar cells in one vast array.

8. Mathematics, Statistics.

   1. an arrangement of a series of terms according to value, as from largest to smallest.

   2. an arrangement of a series of terms in some geometric pattern, as in a matrix.

9. Computers.,  a block of related data elements, each of which is usually identified by one or more subscripts.

10. Radio.,  antenna array.

array

/ əˈreɪ /

noun

1. an impressive display or collection

2. an orderly or regular arrangement, esp of troops in battle order

3. poetic,  rich clothing; apparel

4. maths a sequence of numbers or symbols in a specified order

5. maths a set of numbers or symbols arranged in rows and columns, as in a determinant or matrix

6. electronics an arrangement of aerials spaced to give desired directional characteristics, used esp in radar

7. law a panel of jurors

8. the arming of military forces

9. computing a regular data structure in which individual elements may be located by reference to one or more integer index variables, the number of such indices being the number of dimensions in the array

verb

1. to dress in rich attire; adorn

2. to arrange in order (esp troops for battle); marshal

3. law to draw up (a panel of jurors)

array

1. Mathematics,  A rectangular arrangement of quantities in rows and columns, as in a matrix.

2. Numerical data ordered in a linear fashion, by magnitude.

Other Word Forms

• arrayer noun
• unarrayed adjective
• well-arrayed adjective
• arrayal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of array¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English arrayen, from Anglo-French arayer, Old French are(y)er, from Germanic; compare Old English ārǣdan “to prepare,” equivalent to ā- a- ³ + ræde “prompt”

Word History and Origins

Origin of array¹

C13: from Old French aroi arrangement, from arayer to arrange, of Germanic origin; compare Old English arǣdan to make ready

Example Sentences

There were certainly many styles to choose from, judging from the array of plumed and beribboned specimens she could see bobbing and nodding around her.

Read more on Literature

And it revealed an amazing array of Bronze Age objects.

Read more on Literature

The new partnership is the latest in an array of deals between technology giants and hot AI startups aimed at stoking growth in the fast-evolving sector.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The private university, long known for its wealth, has eliminated nearly 1,000 positions and introduced an array of other cuts to close a deficit of more than $200 million.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Dazzling visual effects permeate the latest movie featuring acrobatic, lightning-fast battles with demons at a kaleidoscopic castle with an infinite array of floors.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• batch 
• bunch 
• bundle 
• cluster 
• design 
• display 
• host 
• lineup 
• lot 
• multitude 
• pattern 
• supply