one of the elements contributing to a particular result:Various factors could be the cause of the disease.
Mathematicsone of two or more numbers, that when multiplied together produce a given product; a divisor:6 and 3 are factors of 18.
Biochemistryan amount or degree on a scale of something:We increased output by a factor of five (= We increased output by five times).
v.[~ + in/into + object]
factor in or into, to include (something) as a contributing element; take into account:We have to factor in the effects of advertising. You must factor the insurance payments into the cost of maintaining a car.
one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation:Poverty is only one of the factors in crime.
Mathematicsone of two or more numbers, algebraic expressions, or the like, that when multiplied together produce a given product; a divisor:6 and 3 are factors of 18.
Biochemistryany of certain substances necessary to a biochemical or physiological process, esp. those whose exact nature and function are unknown.
Businessa business organization that lends money on accounts receivable or buys and collects accounts receivable.
Businessa person who acts or transacts business for another; an agent.
Communications, Businessan agent entrusted with the possession of goods to be sold in the agent's name; a merchant earning a commission by selling goods belonging to others.
Businessa person or business organization that provides money for another's new business venture; one who finances another's business.
BusinessSee factor of production.
Scottish Termsthe steward or bailiff of an estate.
v.t.
Mathematicsto express (a mathematical quantity) as a product of two or more quantities of like kind, as 30 = 2•3•5, or x2 - y2 = (x + y) (x - y). Cf. expand (def. 4a).
Communicationsto act as a factor for.
v.i.
Communicationsto act as a factor.
factor in or into, to include as an essential element, esp. in forecasting or planning:You must factor insurance payments into the cost of maintaining a car.
Latin factor maker, perpetrator, equivalent. to fac(ere) to make, do + -tor -tor
late Middle English facto(u)r 1400–50
fac′tor•a•ble, adj. fac′tor•a•bil′i•ty, n. fac′tor•ship′, n.
a person to whom goods are consigned for sale and who is paid a factorage
(in Scotland) the manager of an estate
(intransitive)to engage in the business of a factor
Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin: one who acts, from facere to doˈfactorableˈfactorˌshipUSAGE Factor (sense 1) should only be used to refer to something which contributes to a result. It should not be used to refer to a part of something such as a plan or arrangement; instead a word such as component or element should be used
Forum discussions with the word(s) "factor out" in the title: