I. də̇ˈmenchən sometimes dīˈ- noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English dimensioun, from Middle French dimension, from Latin dimension-, dimensio, from dimensus (past participle of dimetiri to measure out, from di- — from dis- apart — + metiri to measure) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at dis- , measure
1.
a. : measure in a single line (as length, breadth, height, thickness, or circumference) : one of the three coordinates of position ; specifically : the physical characteristic of length, breadth, or thickness
a line has one dimension (length), a plane has two dimensions (length and breadth), and a cube has three dimensions (length, breadth, and thickness)
— usually used in plural
b. : the quality of spatial extension
dimension is a common trait of all matter
: magnitude , size
the town's modest dimensions and leisurely ways — Jane Shellhase
c.
(1) : the range over which or the degree to which something extends : extent , scope , proportions
the vast dimensions of the disaster
music grown to the dimensions of a great art
— usually used in plural
(2) : the quality, character, or moral or intellectual stature proper to or belonging to a person
reduced to his own natural dimensions — J.G.Lockhart
— usually used in plural
(3) chiefly in literature and art : lifelike or realistic quality
a portrayal from which the character of Hamlet emerges bloodless, without dimension
: largeness of vision or thought
reasoned convictions give his work a dimension lacking in the plays of lesser men
d.
(1) : the particular set of circumstances or environmental factors within which someone or something exists or with reference to which something is viewed
for a social novelist … time is the dimension in which his materials exist — Granville Hicks
(2) : one of the elements or factors making up a complete personality or entity
no other character in the book has more than one dimension
: one of the planes of organization or one of the aspects of a cultural phenomenon
every human situation has environmental, organic, and social dimensions
preoccupation with geography at the expense of other dimensions of dialectal diversity — Glenna R. Pickford
: an independent variable or a combination of variables
a psychological test measuring dimensions of personality
: quality , aspect , trait
2. archaic : the act or an instance of measuring : measurement
3. obsolete : bodily form or proportions
hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions? — Shakespeare
4. : one of a set of coordinates containing the number of coordinates necessary and sufficient to distinguish any one of the elements of a magnitude or aggregate from all others : one of the three coordinates of momentum
5. : one of the fundamental units or powers thereof that enter into the makeup of a derived unit
the gram, the square of the centimeter, and the -2 power of the second are the dimensions of the erg
6. : wood or stone cut to pieces of specified size: as
a. : yard lumber usually over two inches and under five inches thick and of any width
b. : hardwood in small squares of varying length and thickness for the use especially of manufacturers of furniture
c. : blocks or slabs of natural stone used chiefly for the construction of masonry walls and memorials
Synonyms: see size
II. transitive verb
( dimensioned ; dimensioned ; dimensioning -ch(ə)niŋ ; dimensions )
1. : to make or form (as by cutting or planing) to the required dimensions
the shaft is dimensioned to fit any wheel
2. : to figure with dimensions and sometimes also with tolerances (as an architectural plan or a working drawing) : indicate the dimensions on (a drawing)
III. noun
: the number of elements in a basis of a vector space