eigenfunction
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 1.40 in modern English
19
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
3
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A function ϕ such that, for a given linear operator D, Dϕ=λϕ for some scalar λ (called an eigenvalue).
Example Sentences
- "For many quantum-mechanical problems it is important to investigate the change of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions with the continuous change of one or more parameters. The case in which one knows the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for two special values of the parameters, and is interested in the region in between is particularly interesting."
- "Problems that require an investigation of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions arise in connection with numerous topics in mechanics, the theory of vibrations and stability, hydrodynamics, elasticity, acoustics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, etc."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eyḱ- Proto-Indo-European *h₂eh₂óyḱe Proto-Germanic *aiganą Proto-Germanic *aiganaz Proto-West Germanic *aigan Old High German eigan Middle High German eigen German eigenbor. English eigen- Proto-Indo-European *bʰewg-der. Proto-Italic *fungōr Latin fungor Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin fūnctiō Old French fonction Middle French functionbor. English function English eigenfunction From eigen- + function.
Inflected Forms
Phrases
Frequently Paired Words
Synonyms
proper function
eigenstate