Webster's English Dictionary

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determinant

Cross references:
  1. cause                 
 
de.ter.mi.nant \-'t*rm-(*-)n*nt\ n 1: something that determines or 
   conditions : FACTOR  2: a square array of numbers bordered on either side 
   by a straight line wit h a value that is the algebraic sum of all the 
   products that can be formed by taking as factors one element in succession 
   from each row and column and giving to each product a positive or negative 
   sign depending upon whether the number of permutations necessary to place 
   the indices representing each factor's position in its row or column in the 
   order of the natural numbers is odd or even 3: GENE; broadly : a comparable 
   subordinate agent (as a plasm agene)