determinant

[dih-tur-muh-nuhnt]

noun

1. a determining agent or factor.

2. Mathematics.,  an algebraic expression of the sum of products of elements, each with an appropriate algebraic sign, usually written in a square array and used in the solution of systems of linear equations.

3. Also called antigenic determinant,. Also called epitope. Immunology.,  any site on an antigen molecule at which an antibody can bind, the chemical structure of the site determining the specific combining antibody.

4. Genetics Archaic.,  a gene.

determinant

/ dɪˈtɜːmɪnənt /

adjective

1. serving to determine or affect

noun

1. a factor, circumstance, etc, that influences or determines

2. maths a square array of elements that represents the sum of certain products of these elements, used to solve simultaneous equations, in vector studies, etc Compare matrix

Other Word Forms

• nondeterminant noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of determinant¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin dēterminant- (stem of dētermināns ), present participle of dētermināre; determine, -ant

Example Sentences

Notably, race has long been considered one of the key social determinants of health — social conditions that determine health status — and the reason isn’t because of genetics.

Read more on Salon

"To break free from the poverty trap, it is essential to first break the primary vicious circle by addressing its root causes - namely the key determinants of economic growth," he says.

Read more on BBC

Parental wealth is another main determinant of whether someone will be able to achieve the stability now necessary to marry.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The OBR judgement on UK productivity could be the single biggest determinant of how much of a gap there is, and therefore how much Budget pain the chancellor needs to administer.

Read more on BBC

The low percentage of adults reading with kids “is concerning given that regular reading during childhood is a strong determinant of reading ability and engagement later in life,” the study read.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aim 
• cause 
• consideration 
• emotion 
• feeling 
• idea 
• impulse 
• influence 
• intent 
• intention 
• motivation 
• passion 
• rationale