English edit

 
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Etymology edit

From Middle English quantite, from Old French quantité, from Latin quantitās (quantity), from quantus (how much).

Pronunciation edit

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkwɒn.tɪ.ti/
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  • (General American) enPR: kwŏnʹ(t)ĭtē, IPA(key): /ˈkwɑn(t)ɪti/, [ˈkʰwɑn(ɾ)ɨɾi], [ˈkʰwɑn(tʰ)ɨtʰi]
    • (file)
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      Note: This is with a relaxed middle T, and is only used in colloquial contexts by many speakers.
  • (Canada) IPA(key): /ˈkwɑndədi/, /ˈkwɑnɾəɾi/
  • (obsolete) IPA(key): /ˈkwæn.tɪ.ti/, /ˈkwæn.tɪ.tɪ/

Noun edit

quantity (countable and uncountable, plural quantities) (abbreviated qty)

  1. A fundamental, generic term used when referring to the measurement (count, amount) of a scalar, vector, number of items or to some other way of denominating the value of a collection or group of items.
    You have to choose between quantity and quality.
  2. An indefinite amount of something.
    Some soap making oils are best as base oils, used in a larger quantity in the soap, while other oils are best added in a small quantity.
    Olive oil can be used practically in any quantity.
  3. A specific measured amount.
    This bag would normally cost $497.50 for a quantity of 250, at a price of $1.99 per piece.
    Generally it should not be used in a quantity larger than 15 percent.
  4. A considerable measure or amount.
    The Boeing P-26A was the first all-metal monoplane fighter produced in quantity for the U.S. Army Air Corps.
  5. (metrology) Property of a phenomenon, body, or substance, where the property has a magnitude that can be expressed as number and a reference.
  6. (mathematics) Indicates that the entire preceding expression is henceforth considered a single object.
    x plus y quantity squared equals x squared plus 2xy plus y squared.
    • 2006, Jerome E. Kaufmann, Karen Schwitters, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: A Combined Approach, page 89:
      For problems 58-67, translate each word phrase into an algebraic expression. [] 65. x plus 9, the quantity squared
    • 2005, R. Mark Sirkin, Statistics For The Social Sciences, page 137:
      The second,  , read "summation of x, quantity squared," tells us to first add up all the xs to get   and then square   to get  .
    • 1985, Serge Lang, Math!: Encounters with High School Students, page 54:
      ANN.   quantity cubed.
      SERGE LANG. That's right,  .
  7. (phonology) Length of sounds.

Usage notes edit

  • In mathematics, used to unambiguously orate mathematical equations; it is extremely rare in print, since there is no need for it there.

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Translations edit

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

See also edit

Further reading edit