Definition: quantity
Source: WordNet (r) 1.7
quantity
n 1: how much there is of something that you can measure [syn: measure,
amount, quantum]
2: an adequate or large amount; "he had a quantity of
ammunition"
3: something that has a magnitude and can be represented in
mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Square \Square\, a.
1. (Geom.) Having four equal sides and four right angles; as,
a square figure.
2. Forming a right angle; as, a square corner.
3. Having a shape broad for the height, with rectilineal and
angular rather than curving outlines; as, a man of a
square frame.
4. Exactly suitable or correspondent; true; just.
She's a most truimphant lady, if report be square to
her. --Shak.
5. Rendering equal justice; exact; fair; honest, as square
dealing.
6. Even; leaving no balance; as, to make or leave the
accounts square.
7. Leaving nothing; hearty; vigorous.
By Heaven, square eaters. More meat, I say. --Beau.
& Fl.
8. (Naut.) At right angles with the mast or the keel, and
parallel to the horizon; -- said of the yards of a
square-rigged vessel when they are so braced.
Note: Square is often used in self-explaining compounds or
combination, as in square-built, square-cornered,
square-cut, square-nosed, etc.
Square foot, an area equal to that of a square the sides of
which are twelwe inches; 144 square inches.
Square knot, a knot in which the terminal and standing
parts are parallel to each other; a reef knot. See Illust.
under Knot.
Square measure, the measure of a superficies or surface
which depends on the length and breadth taken conjointly.
The units of square measure are squares whose sides are
the linear measures; as, square inches, square feet,
square meters, etc.
Square number. See square, n., 6.
Square root of a number or quantity (Math.), that number
or quantity which, multiplied by itself produces the given
number or quantity.
Square sail (Naut.), a four-sided sail extended upon a yard
suspended by the middle; sometimes, the foresail of a
schooner set upon a yard; also, a cutter's or sloop's sail
boomed out. See Illust. of Sail.
Square stern (Naut.), a stern having a transom and joining
the counter timbers at an angle, as distinguished from a
round stern, which has no transom.
Three-square, Five-square, etc., having three, five,
etc., equal sides; as, a three-square file.
To get square with, to get even with; to pay off. [Colloq.]
Quantity \Quan"ti*ty\, v. t. [L. quantus now much + -fy.] To modify or qualify with respect to quantity; to fix or express the quantity of; to rate.
Quantity \Quan"ti*ty\, n.; pl. Quantities. [F. quantite, L. quantitas, fr. quantus bow great, how much, akin to quam bow, E. how, who. See Who.] 1. The attribute of being so much, and not more or less; the property of being measurable, or capable of increase and decrease, multiplication and division; greatness; and more concretely, that which answers the question ``How much?''; measure in regard to bulk or amount; determinate or comparative dimensions; measure; amount; bulk; extent; size. Hence, in specific uses: (a) (Logic) The extent or extension of a general conception, that is, the number of species or individuals to which it may be applied; also, its content or comprehension, that is, the number of its constituent qualities, attributes, or relations. (b) (Gram.) The measure of a syllable; that which determines the time in which it is pronounced; as, the long or short quantity of a vowel or syllable. (c) (Mus.) The relative duration of a tone. 2. That which can be increased, diminished, or measured; especially (Math.), anything to which mathematical processes are applicable. Note: Quantity is discrete when it is applied to separate objects, as in number; continuous, when the parts are connected, either in succession, as in time, motion, etc., or in extension, as by the dimensions of space, viz., length, breadth, and thickness. 3. A determinate or estimated amount; a sum or bulk; a certain portion or part; sometimes, a considerable amount; a large portion, bulk, or sum; as, a medicine taken in quantities, that is, in large quantities. The quantity of extensive and curious information which he had picked up during many months of desultory, but not unprofitable, study. --Macaulay. Quantity of estate (Law), its time of continuance, or degree of interest, as in fee, for life, or for years. --Wharton (Law Dict. ) Quantity of matter, in a body, its mass, as determined by its weight, or by its momentum under a given velocity. Quantity of motion (Mech.), in a body, the relative amount of its motion, as measured by its momentum, varying as the product of mass and velocity. Known quantities (Math.), quantities whose values are given. Unknown quantities (Math.), quantities whose values are sought.
Imaginary \Im*ag"i*na*ry\, a. [L. imaginarius: cf. F.
imaginaire.]
Existing only in imagination or fancy; not real; fancied;
visionary; ideal.
Wilt thou add to all the griefs I suffer Imaginary ills
and fancied tortures? --Addison.
Imaginary calculus See under Calculus.
Imaginary expression or quantity (Alg.), an algebraic
expression which involves the impossible operation of
taking the square root of a negative quantity; as,
[root]-9, a + b [root]-1.
Imaginary points, lines, surfaces, etc. (Geom.),
points, lines, surfaces, etc., imagined to exist, although
by reason of certain changes of a figure they have in fact
ceased to have a real existence.
Syn: Ideal; fanciful; chimerical; visionary; fancied; unreal;
illusive.
