idempotent

[ahy-duh m-poht-nt, id-uh m-]Mathematics

adjective

unchanged when multiplied by itself.

noun

an idempotent element.

Origin of idempotent

First recorded in 1865–70; idem + potent¹

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British Dictionary definitions for idempotent

idempotent

adjective

maths (of a matrix, transformation, etc) not changed in value following multiplication by itself

Word Origin for idempotent

C20: from Latin idem same + potent 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for idempotent

1870, from Latin idem "the same" + potentem "powerful" (see potent).