GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Factor (?), n. [L. factor a doer: cf. F. facteur a factor. See Fact.]
   1. (Law) One who transacts business for another; an agent; a substitute; especially, a mercantile agent who buys and sells goods and transacts business for others in commission; a commission merchant or consignee. He may be a home factor or a foreign factor. He may buy and sell in his own name, and he is intrusted with the possession and control of the goods; and in these respects he differs from a broker.  Story.  Wharton.
   
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   My factor sends me word, a merchant's fled
   
   That owes me for a hundred tun of wine. Marlowe.
   
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   2. A steward or bailiff of an estate. [Scot.]  Sir W. Scott.
   
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   3. (Math.) One of the elements or quantities which, when multiplied together, form a product.
   
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   4. One of the elements, circumstances, or influences which contribute to produce a result; a constituent; a contributory cause.
   
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   The materal and dynamical factors of nutrition. H. Spencer.
   
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2.       
   Factor, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Factored (-tĕrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Factoring.] (Mach.) To resolve (a quantity) into its factors.
   
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