mantissa

[ man-tis-uh ]

noun

1. Mathematics. the decimal part of a common logarithm. Compare characteristic ( def 3a ).
2. Obsolete. an addition of little or no importance, as to a literary work.

mantissa

/ mænˈtɪsə /

noun

1. the fractional part of a common logarithm representing the digits of the associated number but not its magnitude Compare characteristic

   the mantissa of 2.4771 is .4771

mantissa

/ măn-tĭs′ə /

1. The part of a logarithm to the base ten that is to the right of the decimal point. For example, if 2.749 is a logarithm, .749 is the mantissa.
2. Compare characteristic

Word History and Origins

Origin of mantissa¹

1860–65; < Latin, variant of mantisa addition, makeweight, said to be from Etruscan; logarithmic mantissa so called because it is additional to the characteristic or integral part (term introduced by H. Briggs)

Word History and Origins

Origin of mantissa¹

C17: from Latin: something added, of Etruscan origin

Example Sentences

Linnæus, however, says that his plant came from India (Mantissa, p. 273).

From Project Gutenberg

These features fairly enough suit the Mitra filosa, generally, and with reason, supposed to be the V. filaris of the 'Mantissa.'

From Project Gutenberg

The nearest approach to this species seems the variety B. of the Murex succinctus (the shell so named in the 'Mantissa').

From Project Gutenberg

Linnæus has described this plant minutely in his Mantissa Plant, so that no doubt remains of its being his maritimus.

From Project Gutenberg

Linnæus originally confounded it with a similar plant, the Draba alpina, a mistake since rectified in his Mantissa Plant.

From Project Gutenberg