PARAMETER

parameter, parametric quantity

(noun) a constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves

parameter

(noun) a quantity (such as the mean or variance) that characterizes a statistical population and that can be estimated by calculations from sample data

argument, parameter

(noun) (computer science) a reference or value that is passed to a function, procedure, subroutine, command, or program

parameter

(noun) any factor that defines a system and determines (or limits) its performance

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

parameter (plural parameters)

A value kept constant during an experiment, equation, calculation or similar, but varied over other versions of the experiment, equation, calculation, etc.

(sciences) a variable that describes some system (material, object, event etc.) or some aspect thereof

(programming) An input variable of a procedure definition, that gets an actual value (argument) at execution time (formal parameter).

(programming) An actual value given to such a formal parameter (argument or actual parameter).

A characteristic or feature that distinguishes something from others.

(geometry) In the ellipse and hyperbola, a third proportional to any diameter and its conjugate, or in the parabola, to any abscissa and the corresponding ordinate.

(crystallography) The ratio of the three crystallographic axes which determines the position of any plane.

(crystallography) The fundamental axial ratio for a given species.

Usage notes

• (the value used to instantiate the name): Some authors regard use of parameter to mean argument as imprecise, preferring that parameter refers only to the name that will be instantiated, and argument to refer to the value that will be supplied to it at runtime.

Synonyms

• (value passed to a function): argument

• (characteristic distinguishing something from others): distinguishing feature

• See also characteristic

Source: Wiktionary

Pa*ram"e*ter, n. Etym: [Pref. para- + -meter: cf. F. paramètre.]

1. (a) (Math.) A term applied to some characteristic magnitude whose value, invariable as long as one and the same function, curve, surface, etc., is considered, serves to distinguish that function, curve, surface, etc., from others of the same kind or family. Brande & C. (b) Specifically (Conic Sections), in the ellipse and hyperbola, a third proportional to any diameter and its conjugate, or in the parabola, to any abscissa and the corresponding ordinate.

Note: The parameter of the principal axis of a conic section is called the latus rectum.

2. (Crystallog.)

Definition: The ratio of the three crystallographic axes which determines the position of any plane; also, the fundamental axial ratio for a given species.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition