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

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

mag·ni·tude

noun \ˈmag-nə-ˌt(y)üd\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of MAGNITUDE

: relative size or extent

magnitude

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In astronomy, the measure of the brightness of a star or other celestial body. The brighter the object, the lower the number assigned as a magnitude. In ancient times six magnitude classes were used, the first containing the brightest stars (see Hipparchus). In the present system a difference of one magnitude is defined as a ratio of brightness of 2.512 times. Thus, a difference of five magnitudes corresponds to a brightness ratio of 100 to 1. Apparent magnitude is an object's brightness as seen from Earth (e.g., 26.7 for the Sun, about 11 for the Moon). Absolute magnitude is an object's brightness as it would be seen at a distance of 10 parsecs (32.6 light-years; e.g., 4.8 for the Sun). See also albedo; photometry.