/ ˌkəʊɪˈfɪʃnt; NAmE ˌkoʊ-/ noun
1.
( mathematics ) a number which is placed before another quantity and which multiplies it, for example 3 in the quantity 3x
2.
( physics ) a number that measures a particular property (= characteristic) of a substance :
the coefficient of friction
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (in the sense cooperating to produce a result ): from modern Latin coefficient- , from com- together + efficient- accomplishing.