exponent Hear it!

exponent definition

ex·po·nent (ek spōnənt, ik-; also, esp.for n.3, ekspōn′-)

adjective

explaining, interpreting, or expounding

Etymology: L exponens, prp. of exponere: see expound

noun

  1. a person who sets forth, expounds, or promotes principles, methods, etc.
  2. a person or thing that is an example or symbol (of something); representative
  3. Algebra a small figure or symbol placed above and at the right of another figure or symbol to show how many times the latter is to be used as a factor (Ex.: b = b × b × b): zero, negative, and fractional exponents have special rules (Ex.: a = 1, a = 1/a, a = )

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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