◙ noun 1. [Mathematics & Physics] a quantity having direction as well as magnitude, especially as determining the position of one point in space relative to another • [数，物] 矢量，向量 a matrix with one row or one column • 单行（或列）矩阵 a course to be taken by an aircraft • 航线 [as modifier] [Computing] denoting a type of graphical representation using lines to construct the outlines of objects • [计算机] 模型 2. an organism, typically a biting insect or tick, that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another • 载体，媒介 [Genetics] a bacteriophage or plasmid which transfers genetic material into a cell, or from one bacterium to another • [遗传] （基因转导）载体 ◙ verb 1. [with obj. and adverbial of direction] [常作 be vectored] direct (an aircraft in flight) to a desired point • 引导；引向目标
【派生】
♦ vectorial adjective ♦ vectorially adverb ♦ vectorization noun 1. (only in sense 1 of the noun ♦ vectorize verb 1. (也作 -ise). (only in sense 1 of the noun
【语源】
1. mid 19th cent.: from Latin, literally carrier', from vehere 'convey'