tensor — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A muscle that tightens or stretches a part, or renders it tense.

2. A mathematical object that describes linear relations on scalars, vectors, matrices and other algebraic objects, and is represented as a multidimensional array.

   Broader terms

   function

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The tensor #92;alpha#95;#123;ij#125; should really be called a “tensor of second rank,” because it has two indexes. A vector—with one index—is a tensor of the first rank, and a scalar—with no index—is a tensor of zero rank.

3. A mathematical object that describes linear relations on scalars, vectors, matrices and other algebraic objects, and is represented as a multidimensional array. A multidimensional array with (at least) two dimensions.

4. A norm operation on the quaternion algebra.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Verb

1. To compute the tensor product of two tensors or algebraic structures.

Noun

1. a generalization of the concept of a vector

   Broader terms

   variablevariable quantity

2. any of several muscles that cause an attached structure to become tense or firm

   Broader terms

   musclemusculus