scalar (skalar)

and a. [L. scalar is, of or pertaining to a ladder or a flight of steps, needed for one purpose to signify something else for which no new word is needed. - Scalar of a quaternion, a scalar which, being subtracted from the quaternion, leaves a vector as the remainder. II. a. Of the nature of a scalar. - Scalar function. See function . - Scalar operation, an operation which, performed upon a scalar, gives a scalar. - Scalar quantity. See quantity .