VERSOR
Ver"sor, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. vertere, versus, to turn. See
Version.] (Geom.)
Definition: The turning factor of a quaternion.
Note: The change of one vector into another is considered in
quaternions as made up of two operations; 1st, the rotation of the
first vector so that it shall be parallel to the second; 2d, the
change of length so that the first vector shall be equal to the
second. That which expresses in amount and kind the first operation
is a versor, and is denoted geometrically by a line at right angles
to the plane in which the rotation takes place, the length of this
line being proportioned to the amount of rotation. That which
expresses the second operation is a tensor. The product of the versor
and tensor expresses the total operation, and is called a quaternion.
See Quaternion. Quadrantal versor. See under Quadrantal.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition