vector
1. vec.tor \'vek-t*r\ \vek-'to-r-e--*l, -'to.r-\ n [NL, fr. L, carrier, fr. vectus, pp. of vehere to carry - more at] WAY 1a: a quantity that has magnitude, direction, and sense and that is commonl y represented by a directed line segment whose length represents the magnitude and whose orientation in space represents the direction 1b: a course or compass direction esp. of an airplane 2: an organism (as an insect) that transmits a pathogen 3: DRIVE - vec.to.ri.al aj 2. vector \-t(*-)rin\ vt or vec.tor.ing : to guide (as an airplane, its pilot, or a missile) in flight by means o f a radioed vector
Webster's English Dictionary