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eigenvalue

[ahy-guh n-val-yoo]
noun Mathematics.
  1. characteristic root.

Origin of eigenvalue

1925–30; partial translation of German Eigenwert, equivalent to eigen- characteristic, particular + Wert value
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for eigenvalue

eigenvalue

noun
  1. maths physics one of the particular values of a certain parameter for which a differential equation or matrix equation has an eigenfunction. In wave mechanics an eigenvalue is equivalent to the energy of a quantum state of a system
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