prefactor

P3R1E1F4A1C3T1O1R1

noun

A coefficient which precedes a given quantity in a mathematical formula

OriginEnglish factor ← Middle English factour ← Anglo-Norman factour →
RareScrabble 16
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Meanings

nounprefactor (plural prefactors)

plural prefactors

  1. A coefficient which precedes a given quantity in a mathematical formula

    The prefactor preceding the sum is the constant density of states associated with two-dimensional motion for each state n of perpendicular motion.

    1980, William E. Carlos, Milton W. Cole, “Band structure and thermodynamic properties of He atoms near a graphite surface”, in Physical Review B, volume 21

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*per-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*preh₂-
  3. Proto-Indo-European*préh₂i?
  4. Proto-Italic*prai
  5. Proto-Italic*prai-
  6. Latinprae-
  7. Middle Englishpre-
  8. Englishpre-
  9. Latinfactor
  10. Middle Frenchfacteur
  11. Latinfactor
  12. Anglo-Normanfactour
  13. Middle Englishfactour
  14. Englishfactor
  15. Englishprefactor

From pre- + factor.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

aftercrop
Cite this entry
APA

prefactor. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prefactor

MLA

“prefactor.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prefactor. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “prefactor,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prefactor.

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