Vector

The word vector means "carrier" in Latin; it is derived from the Latin verb vehere, which means to carry.

Mathematics

• It refers generally to any element of an abstractly-defined vector space over a field.
• Vector (spatial): In physics and engineering, vector most often refers specifically to an object that has a special relationship to the spatial coordinates/directions, that is, an element of a tangent bundle.
• Related concepts include: four-vector (the specialization to space-time in relativity), pseudovector, vector calculus, vector bundle, unit vector, null vector and normal vector.
• If the vector space is finite-dimensional, its vectors are commonly denoted by matrices with dimensions n×1 (column vector) or 1×n (row vector).
• Other specific types of vector include: probability vector.

Physics

See also mathematics, above.

• vector (field) theory refers to a quantum field theory in which both chiralities of a Dirac field are present

Computer Science

• In computer programming, the same as list or one-dimensional array.
• A vector supercomputer has SIMD operations that work on arrays of several numbers at once
• dope vector
• In operating systems, a memory location
• Java and C++ have dynamically sized vector types, Java has java.util.Vector, a standard class. C++ has std::vector, a standard template container class.
• Vector graphics describes computer graphics defined by lines instead of pixels; compare bitmap
• Vector (computing) is the method that malicious code (viruses, etc) uses to propagate itself. (from the concept of biological vector below)

Biology

• A vector is a mechanism that transmits genes or organisms. Most often used in the context of transmission of diseases.
• A person or entity that passes along an urban legend (also from the concept of biological vector).

Miscellaneous

• The Vector is the New Jersey Institute of Technology's school newspaper
• Vector is a 1980s new wave rock band
• Vector is a cereal manufactured by Kellogg's
• Vector Marketing is the multi-level marketing firm that sells Cutco knives
• The American supersportscarmarket Vector Supercars
• Vector is the capital of the Empire in the video game Final Fantasy VI.