quaternion

noun qua·ter·ni·on \ kwə-ˈtər-nē-ən , kwä- \

Definition of quaternion

1 : a set of four parts, things, or persons

2 : any of a set of numbers that comprise a four-dimensional vector space with a basis consisting of the real number 1 and three imaginary units i, j, k, that follow special rules of multiplication, and that are used especially in computer graphics, robotics, and animation to rotate objects in three dimensions

Origin and Etymology of quaternion

Middle English quaternyoun, from Late Latin quaternion-, quaternio, from Latin quaterni four each, from quater four times; akin to Latin quattuor four — more at four

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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