integer

[ in-ti-jer ]

noun

1. Mathematics. one of the positive or negative numbers 1, 2, 3, etc., or zero. Compare whole number.
2. a complete entity.

   Synonyms: whole, integral

   Antonyms: portion, fraction

integer

/ ˈɪntɪdʒə /

noun

1. any rational number that can be expressed as the sum or difference of a finite number of units, being a member of the set …–3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3…
2. an individual entity or whole unit

integer

/ ĭn′tĭ-jər /

1. A positive or negative whole number or zero. The numbers 4, −876, and 5,280 are all integers.

Other Words From

• non·inte·ger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of integer¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin: “untouched, undivided, whole, fresh,” equivalent to in- negative prefix + -teg- (combining form of tag-, root of tangere “to touch”) + -er adjective suffix; in- ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of integer¹

C16: from Latin: untouched, entire, from tangere to touch

Example Sentences

This means that systematic variations of the compound's chemical formula, which can be represented using integer variables, result in systematic changes in its properties.

From Science Daily

The brain's bias toward simple integer ratios may have evolved as a natural error-correction system that makes it easier to maintain a consistent body of music, which human societies often use to transmit information.

From Science Daily

More recently, scholars have tried to find psychological explanations, but these 'integer ratios' are still credited with making a chord sound beautiful, and deviation from them is thought to make music 'dissonant', unpleasant sounding.

From Science Daily

They can be treated as quasi-particles and carry integer topological charges.

From Science Daily

In the mid-1990s mathematician Andrew Wiles was able to prove that if n > 2, this simple equation has no integer solutions for a, b or c.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• amount
• character
• cost
• number
• price
• rate
• sum
• symbol
• total