from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Coefficient \Co`ef*fi"cient\, n.
1. That which unites in action with something else to produce
the same effect.
[1913 Webster]
2. [Cf. F. coefficient.] (Math.) A number or letter put
before a letter or quantity, known or unknown, to show how
many times the latter is to be taken; as, 6x; bx; here 6
and b are coefficients of x.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Physics) A number, commonly used in computation as a
factor, expressing the amount of some change or effect
under certain fixed conditions as to temperature, length,
volume, etc.; as, the coefficient of expansion; the
coefficient of friction.
[1913 Webster]
{Arbitrary coefficient} (Math.), a literal coefficient placed
arbitrarily in an algebraic expression, the value of the
coefficient being afterwards determined by the conditions
of the problem.
[1913 Webster]