significant figures

Significant \Sig*nif"i*cant\, a. [L. significans, -antis, p. pr.
   of significare. See {Signify}.]
   1. Fitted or designed to signify or make known somethingl
      having a meaning; standing as a sign or token; expressive
      or suggestive; as, a significant word or sound; a
      significant look.
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            It was well said of Plotinus, that the stars were
            significant, but not efficient.       --Sir W.
                                                  Raleigh.
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   2. Deserving to be considered; important; momentous; as, a
      significant event.
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   {Significant figures} (Arith.), the figures which remain to
      any number, or decimal fraction, after the ciphers at the
      right or left are canceled. Thus, the significant figures
      of 25,000, or of .0025, are 25.
      [1913 Webster]