Quaternion

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Quaternion \Qua*ter"ni*on\, n. [L. quaternio, fr. quaterni four
     each. See {Quaternary}.]
     1. The number four. [Poetic]
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     2. A set of four parts, things, or person; four things taken


        collectively; a group of four words, phrases,
        circumstances, facts, or the like.
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              Delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers.
                                                    --Acts xii. 4.
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              Ye elements, the eldest birth
              Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion run. --Milton.
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              The triads and quaternions with which he loaded his
              sentences.                            -- Sir W.
                                                    Scott.
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     3. A word of four syllables; a quadrisyllable.
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     4. (Math.) The quotient of two vectors, or of two directed
        right lines in space, considered as depending on four
        geometrical elements, and as expressible by an algebraic
        symbol of quadrinomial form.
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     Note: The science or calculus of quaternions is a new
           mathematical method, in which the conception of a
           quaternion is unfolded and symbolically expressed, and
           is applied to various classes of algebraical,
           geometrical, and physical questions, so as to discover
           theorems, and to arrive at the solution of problems.
           --Sir W. R. Hamilton.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Quaternion \Qua*ter"ni*on\, v. t.
     To divide into quaternions, files, or companies. --Milton.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  quaternion
       n : the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one [syn: {four},
            {4}, {IV}, {tetrad}, {quatern}, {quaternary}, {quaternity},
            {quartet}, {quadruplet}, {foursome}, {Little Joe}]

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Quaternion
     a band of four soldiers. Peter was committed by Herod to the
     custody of four quaternions, i.e., one quaternion for each watch
     of the night (Acts 12:4). Thus every precaution was taken
     against his escape from prison. Two of each quaternion were in
     turn stationed at the door (12:6), and to two the apostle was
     chained according to Roman custom.