vector
Definitions
A quantity that has both magnitude and direction, often shown as an arrow
矢量，向量（既有大小又有方向的量）
An organism, especially an insect, that carries and transmits a disease
（疾病的）传播媒介，病媒（尤指昆虫）
A course or direction, especially of an aircraft
（尤指飞行器的）航向，方向
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedvect (carried, from vectus) + -or (one who/that which does) = 'the carrier.' Math borrowed it for a quantity that carries a magnitude along a direction — an arrow. Biology borrowed the same word for an organism that carries a disease between hosts. Both senses are simply 'something that conveys a thing toward a target.'
Root vect still carries 5 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.disease vector病媒
- 2.velocity vector速度矢量
- 3.unit vector单位向量
- 4.vector for……的传播媒介
- 5.attack vector攻击向量
Example Sentences
- 1.
Add the two vectors to find the resultant force.
- 2.
Mosquitoes are the main vector for malaria.
- 3.
The pilot adjusted the vector to avoid the storm.
- 4.
Velocity is a vector because it has both speed and direction.
Easily Confused
vector vs scalar — In physics these are opposites. A vector has magnitude and direction (velocity, force); a scalar has only magnitude (speed, temperature, mass). If reversing the direction changes the meaning, it's a vector.