French Conversation · Level 27
90 words
French word
vecteur
Pronunciation
IPA/vɛktœʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nounvector
Example
Le vecteur pointe vers la droite.
The vector points to the right.
More examples
Dans la nature, certains insectes sont des vecteurs de virus.
In nature, certain insects are vectors of viruses.
Core concept
A carrier, often shown as a directed arrow, that conveys something from one place or state to another.
Common phrases
vecteur nul
null vector
vecteur unitaire
unit vector
Similar words
direction: The course or heading followed by a person or thing.
sens: The direction toward which something moves or is directed.
flèche: An arrow or arrow-shaped mark used to indicate direction.
orientation: The arrangement or facing of an object or space.
Definition in French
Terme qui, selon le contexte, désigne soit une grandeur orientée en mathématiques, soit un agent qui porte ou transmet quelque chose au sens de « celui qui porte ».
Word origin
French vecteur comes from Latin vector, 'carrier', the agent noun of vehere, 'to carry'; its technical senses retain the idea of something that conveys or has direction.
Usage tips
- Context usually identifies the sense, as in vecteur mathématique for a mathematical vector and vecteur de la maladie for a disease carrier.
Other meanings
- vehiclenoun
- carriernoun
Related words
- vectorielvectorialadjective