magnitude

mag·ni·tude

noun \ˈmag-nə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\

Definition of MAGNITUDE

1

a : great size or extent b (1) : spatial quality : size (2) : quantity, number

2

: the importance, quality, or caliber of something

3

: a number representing the intrinsic or apparent brightness of a celestial body on a logarithmic scale in which an increase of one unit corresponds to a reduction in the brightness of light by a factor of 2.512

4

: a numerical quantitative measure expressed usually as a multiple of a standard unit

5

: the intensity of an earthquake represented by a number on an arbitrary scale <a magnitude six earthquake>

Examples of MAGNITUDE

1. <the magnitude of the issue can scarcely be overstated>
2. <the mountain's sheer magnitude usually leaves tourists speechless>

Origin of MAGNITUDE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin magnitudo, from magnus

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to MAGNITUDE

Synonyms: account, consequence, import, importance, moment, momentousness, significance, weight, weightiness

Antonyms: insignificance, littleness, puniness, slightness, smallness, triviality

Related Words: celebrity, distinction, eminence, fame, note, noteworthiness, notoriety, preeminence, prominence, renown; store, substance, substantiveness, value, worth, worthiness; gravity, seriousness; authority, control, dominion, mastery, potency, power, sway; mark, name, report, reputation, repute; centrality, essentiality, essentialness; cachet, position, prestige, rank, standing, stature, status; glory, greatness, honor, illustriousness

Near Antonyms: paltriness, pettiness, valuelessness, worthlessness; discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, odium, opprobrium, shame; anonymity; obscurity

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Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with MAGNITUDE

altitude, amplitude, aptitude, attitude, certitude, comfort food, consuetude, crassitude, desuetude, finger food, finitude, fortitude, gratitude, habitude, hebetude, interlude, lassitude, latitude, longitude, mansuetude, multitude, negritude, platitude, plenitude, promptitude, pulchritude, quietude, rectitude, seminude, servitude, solitude, turpitude, vastitude