vector
vector Lexical Profile
vector Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A quantity in mathematics and physics that has both magnitude and direction, such as velocity or force, often represented graphically by a directed line segment.
"To calculate the boat's true course, the navigator added the wind velocity vector to the ocean current vector."
An organism, typically a biting insect or tick, that transmits a disease-causing pathogen or parasite from one animal or plant to another.
"Public health officials drained stagnant pools to control the mosquito population that serves as the primary vector for dengue fever."
A one-dimensional array of data elements, or a digital graphic format defined by geometric formulas rather than a grid of pixels (in computing).
"The designer saved the company logo as a vector so it could be scaled up for a billboard without losing sharpness."
A course or compass direction assigned to an aircraft.
"Air traffic control gave the pilot a new vector to avoid the approaching thunderstorm."
A bacteriophage, plasmid, or other agent used in molecular biology to transfer genetic material into a target cell.
"Researchers engineered a harmless viral vector to deliver the corrective gene directly into the patient's cells."
• verb
To direct an aircraft in flight toward a desired point by radioed compass headings.
"The approach controller vectored the passenger jet onto the final runway alignment."
To change the direction of the thrust of a jet or rocket engine in order to control the attitude or angular velocity of the craft.
"By vectoring the exhaust nozzles downward, the aircraft can perform a vertical takeoff and landing."
• Rhymes for vector
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-19th century from Latin vector ('carrier, transporter, rider'), an agent noun derived from vehere ('to carry, convey'), which also gave English 'vehicle'.