[co.ef.fi.cient] n [NL coefficient-, coefficiens, fr. L co- + efficient-, efficiens efficient] (ca. 1715) 1: any of the factors of a product considered in relation to a specific factor; esp: a constant factor of a term as distinguished from a variable
2. a: a number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic (as of a substance, device, or process) "~ of expansion of a metal" b: measure