/ ˈfæktə(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] one of several things that cause or influence sth :
economic factors
The closure of the mine was the single most important factor in the town's decline.
the key / crucial / deciding factor
2.
[ C ] ( mathematics ) a number that divides into another number exactly :
1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12 are the factors of 12.
3.
[ C ] the amount by which sth increases or decreases :
The real wage of the average worker has increased by a factor of over ten in the last 70 years.
4.
[ C ] a particular level on a scale of measurement :
a suntan lotion with a protection factor of 10
The wind-chill factor will make it seem colder.
5.
[ U ] ( medical ) a substance in the blood that helps the clotting process. There are several types of this substance :
Haemophiliacs have no factor 8 in their blood
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IDIOMS
see feel-good
■ verb
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PHRASAL VERBS
- factor sth in | factor sth into sth
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (meaning doer , also in the Scots sense agent ): from French facteur or Latin factor , from fact- done, from the verb facere .