early 15c., "commercial agent, deputy, one who buys or sells for another," from Middle French facteur "agent, representative" (Old French factor, faitor "doer, author, creator"), from Latin factor "doer, maker, performer," in Medieval Latin, "agent," agent noun from past participle stem of facere "to do" (see factitious). In commerce, especially "a commission merchant." Mathematical sense is from 1670s. Sense of "circumstance producing a result" is attested by 1816, from the mathematical sense.
factor (v.)
1610s, "act as an agent, manage," from factor (n.). The use in mathematics is attested from 1837. Related: Factored; factoring.
雙語例句
1. Stress, both human and mechanical, may also be a contributing factor.
來自人的和機械方面的壓力可能也是一個因素。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Environmentalists say a critical factor in the city's pollution is its population.
環境保護主義者說造成該城市污染問題的一個關鍵因素是其人口數量。
來自柯林斯例句
3. This factor will come increasingly to the fore as election day nears.
隨著選舉日的臨近，這一因素將愈發重要。
來自柯林斯例句
4. Obesity is a major risk factor in many diseases.
肥胖是引發多種疾病的重要因素。
來自柯林斯例句
5. A key factor in running a business is the delegation of responsibility.