quantifier

American  

[kwon-tuh-fahy-er] / ˈkwɒn təˌfaɪ ər /

noun

1. Logic. an expression, as “all” or “some,” that indicates the quantity of a proposition.

2. a word, especially a modifier, that indicates the quantity of something.

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quantifier British  

/ ˈkwɒntɪˌfaɪə /

noun

1. logic

   1. a symbol including a variable that indicates the degree of generality of the expression in which that variable occurs, as (∃ x ) in (∃ x ) Fx , rendered "something is an F", ( x ) in ( x )( Fx → Gx ), rendered "all Fs are Gs"

   2. any other symbol with an analogous interpretation

      the existential quantifier, (∃x), corresponds to the words "there is something, x, such that …"

2. grammar a word or phrase in a natural language having this role, such as some, all, or many in English

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Etymology

Origin of quantifier

First recorded in 1875–80; quantify + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Some of those languages use natural quantifiers such as ‘several’ and ‘many’ to indicate higher values.

From Scientific American

He had nine sacks in the first eight games, and there’s no reliable quantifier for the upheaval he causes on countless plays when he records no stats.

From Seattle Times

Which combinations of axioms, sets of numbers or shapes, and quantifiers lead to the most interesting questions to look at?

From Scientific American

The kth level of the polynomial hierarchy is defined to be the set of functions that can be written in terms of k alternating quantifiers, that is, . where ∧ is the Boolean AND operation.

From Nature

Finally, in many cases a quantifier naturally floats leftward away from the verb, unsplitting the infinitive, as in the examples on the right: It seems monstrous to even suggest the possibility.

From Literature