del
/dɛl
/noun Mathematics
An operator used in vector analysis. (Symbol: ∇)
- del is defined as i ∂/∂x + j ∂/∂y + k ∂/∂z, where i, j, and k are vectors directed respectively along the Cartesian axes x, y, and z.
Origin
Early 20th century: abbreviation of delta1, from the representation of the operator as an inverted capital delta.