eigenclass

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noun

A hidden class associated with each specific instance of another class.

“Singleton methods in Ruby live in a special, hidden class called the singleton class (it used to be referred to as the eigenclass, but singleton class is the current term).”

Scrabble 13
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Meanings

nouneigenclass (plural eigenclasses)

plural eigenclasses

  1. object-oriented programmingA hidden class associated with each specific instance of another class.

    Singleton methods in Ruby live in a special, hidden class called the singleton class (it used to be referred to as the eigenclass, but singleton class is the current term).

Origin

From eigen- + class.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Gaelicness
Cite this entry
APA

eigenclass. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eigenclass

MLA

“eigenclass.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eigenclass. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “eigenclass,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eigenclass.

Source: eigenclass on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.