/ ˌekspəˈnenʃl; NAmE / adjective
1.
( mathematics ) of or shown by an exponent :
2 4 is an exponential expression.
an exponential curve / function
2.
( formal ) ( of a rate of increase ) becoming faster and faster :
exponential growth / increase
► ex·po·nen·ti·al·ly / -ʃəli; NAmE / adverb :
to increase exponentially
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WORD ORIGIN
early 18th cent.: from French exponentiel , from Latin exponere put out, from ex- out + ponere put.