factor

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [C] one of several things that cause or influence sth: environmental / economic factors * The closure of the mine was the single most important factor in the town's decline. * the key / crucial / deciding factor * The result will depend on a number of different factors 2 [C] (mathematics) a number that divides into another number exactly: 2, 3, 4 and 6 are factors of 12. 3 [C] the amount by which sth increases or decreases: The real wage of the average worker has increased by a factor of over ten in the last 70 years. 4 [C] a particular level on a scale of measurement: a suntan lotion with a protection factor of 10 * The wind-chill factor will make it seem colder. 5 [U] (medical) a substance in the blood that helps the CLOTTING process. There are several types of this substance: Haemophiliacs have no factor 8 in their blood IDIOMS see FEEL-GOOD verb PHRASALVERBS factor sth<->in