vector
noun /ˈvektə(r)/
/ˈvektər/
- (mathematics) a quantity that has both size and direction
- Acceleration and velocity are both vectors.
- (biology) an insect, etc. that carries a particular disease from one living thing to another
- Mosquitoes are the vectors in malaria.
- (specialist) a course taken by an aircraft
Word Originmid 19th cent.: from Latin, literally ‘carrier’, from vehere ‘convey’.