ˈfæktə n. & v. --n. 1 a
circumstance,
fact, or
influence contributing to a
result. 2
Math. a
whole number etc.
that when multiplied
with another produces a
given number or
expression. 3 Biol. a
gene etc. determining
hereditary character. 4 (foll. by identifying number)
Med.
any of
several substances in
the blood contributing to
coagulation (factor eight). 5 a a
business agent; a
merchant buying
and selling on
commission. b
Sc. a land-agent or
steward. c an agent or a
deputy. 6 a
company that buys a manufacturer's invoices and takes
responsibility for collecting the payments
due on
them. --v.tr. 1 Math.
resolve into factors or components. 2 tr.
sell (one's receivable debts) to a factor. øfactor
analysis Statistics a process by
which the
relative importance of variables in the
study of a
sample is assessed by
mathematical techniques. øøfactorable adj. [F facteur or L factor f. facere factdo, make]