1. A determining or causal element or factor
   "education is an important determinant of one's outlook on life";
   - determiner, determinative, determining factor, causal factor
    
2. (mathematics) a scalar quantity derived from a matrix giving the volume scaling of the matrix
   "The determinant of the matrix was calculated to determine if it was invertible"
    
3. (immunology) the site on the surface of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself
   "The vaccine was designed to target specific determinants on the virus";
   - antigenic determinant, epitope

1. Having the power or quality of deciding
   "the determinative (or determinant) battle";
   - deciding, determinative, determining

Derived forms: determinants

See also: decisive

Type of: cognitive factor, site, situation, square matrix

Part of: antigen

Encyclopedia: Determinant