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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Determinant \De*ter"mi*nant\, a. [L. determinans, p. pr. of
determinare: cf. F. d['e]terminant.]
Serving to determine or limit; determinative.
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Determinant \De*ter"mi*nant\, n.
1. That which serves to determine; that which causes
determination.
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2. (Math.) The sum of a series of products of several
numbers, these products being formed according to certain
specified laws;

Note: thus, the determinant of the nine numbers
a, b, c,a', b', c',a'', b'', c'',
is a b' c'' - a b'' c' a' b'' c] - a' b c'' a'' b'
c. The determinant is written by placing the numbers
from which it is formed in a square between two
vertical lines. The theory of determinants forms a very
important branch of modern mathematics.
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3. (Logic) A mark or attribute, attached to the subject or
predicate, narrowing the extent of both, but rendering
them more definite and precise. --Abp. Thomson.
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