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parameter

[ puh-ram-i-ter ]

noun

  1. Mathematics.
    1. a constant or variable term in a function that determines the specific form of the function but not its general nature, as a in f ( x ) = ax, where a determines only the slope of the line described by f ( x ).
    2. one of the independent variables in a set of parametric equations.
  2. Statistics. a variable entering into the mathematical form of any distribution such that the possible values of the variable correspond to different distributions.
  3. Computers. a variable that must be given a specific value during the execution of a program or of a procedure within a program.
  4. Usually parameters. limits or boundaries; guidelines:

    the basic parameters of our foreign policy.

  5. characteristic or factor; aspect; element:

    a useful parameter for judging long-term success.



parameter

/ pəˈræmɪtə; ˌpærəˈmɛtrɪk /

noun

  1. one of a number of auxiliary variables in terms of which all the variables in an implicit functional relationship can be explicitly expressed See parametric equations
  2. a variable whose behaviour is not being considered and which may for present purposes be regarded as a constant, as y in the partial derivative ∂f( x,y )/∂ x
  3. statistics a characteristic of the distribution of a population, such as its mean, as distinct from that of a sample Compare statistic
  4. informal.
    any constant or limiting factor

    a designer must work within the parameters of budget and practicality

“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

parameter

  1. A quantity or number on which some other quantity or number depends. An informal example is, “Depending on the traffic, it takes me between twenty minutes and an hour to drive to workâ€; here, “traffic†is the parameter that determines the time it takes to get to work. In statistics , a parameter is an unknown characteristic of a population — for example, the number of women in a particular precinct who will vote Democratic.
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Usage Note

Some object strongly to the use of parameter in these newer senses. Nevertheless, the criticized uses are now well established both in educated speech and in edited writing.
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Notes

The term is often mistakenly used to refer to the limits of possible values a variable can have because of confusion with the word perimeter .
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Derived Forms

  • parametric, adjective
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Other ˜yÐÄvlog Forms

  • ±è²¹°ù·²¹Â·³¾±ð³Ù·°ù¾±³¦ [par-, uh, -, me, -trik], ±è²¹°ù·²¹Â·³¾±ð³Ù·°ù¾±Â·³¦²¹±ô adjective
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of parameter1

From the New Latin word parametrum, dating back to 1650–60; para- 1, -meter
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of parameter1

C17: from New Latin; see para- 1, -meter
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

So I decided to relax some of my parameters, especially regarding age.

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Construction trucks were parked inside, and flags had been planted in the ground to establish a parameter for the work.

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In this context, "trigger" refers to a set of parameters that have to be acknowledged before weapons are deployed.

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How do you feel about heights? — to see what your parameters are.

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But that’s why, as principle, the First Amendment needs only 45 words to uncomplicate things and relieve the burden of adjudicating content parameters.

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