/ik spoh"neuhnt/ or, esp. for 3, /ek"spoh neuhnt/ , n.
1. a person or thing that expounds, explains, or interprets: an exponent of modern theory in the arts.
2. a person or thing that is a representative, advocate, type, or symbol of something: Lincoln is an exponent of American democracy.
3. Math. a symbol or number placed above and after another symbol or number to denote the power to which the latter is to be raised: The exponents of the quantities x n , 2 m , y 4 , and 3 5 are, respectively, n, m, 4, and 5.
[ 1575-85; exponent- (s. of exponens ), prp. of exponere to EXPOUND; see -ENT ]
Syn. 1. supporter, champion, proponent, promoter. 2. embodiment, personification.