Word Study
scalar
CIDE DICTIONARY
scalar, n.
In the quaternion analysis, a quantity that has magnitude, but not direction; -- distinguished from a vector, which has both magnitude and direction. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
scalar, adj. & n. Math. & Physics
--adj. (of a quantity) having only magnitude, not direction.
--n. a scalar quantity (cf. VECTOR).
--adj. (of a quantity) having only magnitude, not direction.
--n. a scalar quantity (cf. VECTOR).
Etymology
L scalaris f. scala ladder; see SCALE(3)
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