a. [ L. componens, p. pr. of componere. See Compound, v. t. ] Serving, or helping, to form; composing; constituting; constituent. [ 1913 Webster ]

The component parts of natural bodies. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A constituent part; an ingredient. [ 1913 Webster ]

Component of force (Mech.), a force which, acting conjointly with one or more forces, produces the effect of a single force or resultant; one of a number of forces into which a single force may be resolved. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. deponenes, -entis, laying down. See Depone, v. t. ] 1. (Law) One who deposes or testifies under oath; one who gives evidence; usually, one who testifies in writing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Gr. & Lat. Gram.) A deponent verb.

Syn. -- Deponent, Affiant. These are legal terms describing a person who makes a written declaration under oath, with a view to establish certain facts. An affiant is one who makes an affidavit, or declaration under oath, in order to establish the truth of what he says. A deponenet is one who makes a deposition, or gives written testimony under oath, to be used in the trial of some case before a court of justice. See under Deposition. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. deponens, -entis, laying down (its proper passive meaning), p. pr. of deponere: cf. F. déponent. See Depone. ] (Gram.) Having a passive form with an active meaning, as certain latin and Greek verbs. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. exponens, -entis, p. pr. of exponere to put out, set forth, expose. See Expound. ] 1. (Alg.) A number, letter, or any quantity written on the right hand of and above another quantity, and denoting how many times the latter is repeated as a factor to produce the power indicated; thus a2 denotes the second power, and ax the xth power, of a (2 and x being the exponents). A fractional exponent, or index, is used to denote the root of a quantity. Thus, a1/3 denotes the third or cube root of a. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who, or that which, stands as an index or representative; as, the leader of a party is the exponent of its principles. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. one who explains, expounds, or interprets. [ PJC ]

Exponent of a ratio, the quotient arising when the antecedent is divided by the consequent; thus, 6 is the exponent of the ratio of 30 to 5. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. exponentiel. ] 1. Pertaining to exponents; involving variable exponents; as, an exponential expression; exponential calculus; an exponential function. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. changing over time in an exponential manner, i. e. increasing or decreasing by a fixed ratio for each unit of time; as, exponential growth; exponential decay. [ PJC ]

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Exponential growth is characteristic of bacteria and other living populations in circumstances where the conditions of growth are favorable, and all required nutrients are plentiful. For example, the bacterium Escherichia coli in rich media may double in number every 20 minutes until one of the nutrients becomes exhausted or waste products begin to inhibit growth. Many fascinating thought experiments are proposed on the theme of exponential growth. One may calculate, for example how long it would take the progeny of one Escherichia coli to equal the mass of the known universe if it multiplied unimpeded at such a rate. The answer, assuming the equivalent of 1080 hydrogen atoms in the universe, is less than three days. Exponential increases in a quantity can be surprising, and this principle is often used by banks to make investment at a certain rate of interest seem to be very profitable over time.
Exponential decay is exhibited by decay of radioactive materials and some chemical reactions (first order reactions), in which one-half of the initial quantity of radioactive element (or chemical substance) is lost for each lapse of a characteristic time called the half-life. [ PJC ]

Exponential curve, a curve whose nature is defined by means of an exponential equation. --
Exponential equation, an equation which contains an exponential quantity, or in which the unknown quantity enters as an exponent. --
Exponential quantity (Math.), a quantity whose exponent is unknown or variable, as ax. --
Exponential series, a series derived from the development of exponential equations or quantities. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the process of raising a quantity to some assigned power.
Syn. -- involution. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. One who, or that which, interposes; an interloper, an opponent. [ R. ] Heywood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who opposes; an adversary; an antagonist; a foe. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who opposes in a disputation, argument, or other verbal controversy; specifically, one who attacks some thesis or proposition, in distinction from the respondent, or defendant, who maintains it. [ 1913 Webster ]

How becomingly does Philopolis exercise his office, and seasonably commit the opponent with the respondent, like a long-practiced moderator! Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Antagonist; opposer; foe. See Adversary. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. opponens, -entis, p. pr. of opponere to set or place against, to oppose; ob (see Ob-) + ponere to place. See Position. ] Situated in front; opposite; hence, opposing; adverse; antagonistic. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF., fr. It. ponente, properly, setting (applied to the setting sun), fr. L. ponens, p. pr. of ponere to set, put. ] Western; occidental. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Forth rush the levant and the ponent winds. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Disposing beforehand; predisposing. -- n. That which predisposes. [ 1913 Webster ]

Predisponent causes. (Med.) See Predisposing causes, under Predispose. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. proponens, p. pr. ] Making proposals; proposing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. One who makes a proposal, or lays down a proposition. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) The propounder of a thing. [ 1913 Webster ]