scalar
1 of 2adjective
sca·lar ˈskā-lər 
-ˌlär
1
: having an uninterrupted series of steps : graduated
scalar chain of authority
scalar cells
2
a
: capable of being represented by a point on a scale
scalar quantity
b
: of or relating to a scalar or scalar product
scalar multiplication
scalar
2 of 2noun
1
: a real number rather than a vector
2
: a quantity (such as mass or time) that has a magnitude describable by a real number and no direction
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 In scalar-tensor theories, there are also objects called scalars. Quanta Magazine, 23 Feb. 2022 Since this is a scalar equation, the gravitational force will be negative, meaning downward movement. Rhett Allain, Wired, 15 Oct. 2021 Consequently, the chip could not rise to meet AMD’s high bar for straight-out scalar performance enabled by AMD engineering and TSMC 7nm manufacturing. Karl Freund, Forbes, 6 Apr. 2021 That’s exactly the case that would call for a scalar field. Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2021 One of Linde’s ideas is that in the early universe, scalar field energy should be constantly created at various magnitudes due to quantum effects. Alan Lightman, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2021 This instability, which is the hallmark of spontaneous scalarization, is expected to endow the black hole with scalar hair. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 14 Dec. 2020 This helps the 888’s scalar performance improve by 50 percent, Asghar said. Mark Hachman, PCWorld, 2 Dec. 2020 Mark Hachman, PCWorld, 2 Dec. 2020 Their next step is to make more realistic calculations that go beyond elementary scalar fields and incorporate messier forms of matter and radiation. Quanta Magazine, 2 Dec. 2019 Then there is TeVeS (tensor-vector-scalar), MOND’s relativistic cousin. Katia Moskvitch, WIRED, 6 May 2018 See More
Adjective
Its slow movement, in C minor, is built on a mesmerizing cello ostinato, rising by scalar steps from C to F and then back down. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 In scalar-tensor theories, there are also objects called scalars. Quanta Magazine, 23 Feb. 2022 Since this is a scalar equation, the gravitational force will be negative, meaning downward movement. Rhett Allain, Wired, 15 Oct. 2021 Consequently, the chip could not rise to meet AMD’s high bar for straight-out scalar performance enabled by AMD engineering and TSMC 7nm manufacturing. Karl Freund, Forbes, 6 Apr. 2021 That’s exactly the case that would call for a scalar field. Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2021 One of Linde’s ideas is that in the early universe, scalar field energy should be constantly created at various magnitudes due to quantum effects. Alan Lightman, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2021 This instability, which is the hallmark of spontaneous scalarization, is expected to endow the black hole with scalar hair. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 14 Dec. 2020 This helps the 888’s scalar performance improve by 50 percent, Asghar said. Mark Hachman, PCWorld, 2 Dec. 2020 Noun
By placing the scalar, tensor, and vector accelerators next to one another, the workloads can be shared among them. Mark Hachman, PCWorld, 2 Dec. 2020 Their next step is to make more realistic calculations that go beyond elementary scalar fields and incorporate messier forms of matter and radiation. Quanta Magazine, 2 Dec. 2019 Then there is TeVeS (tensor-vector-scalar), MOND’s relativistic cousin. Katia Moskvitch, WIRED, 6 May 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Latin scalaris, from scalae stairs, ladder — more at scale entry 5
First Known Use
Adjective
circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1