a variable quantity that can be resolved into components

a straight line segment whose length is magnitude and whose orientation in space is direction

any agent (person or animal or microorganism) that carries and transmits a disease; mosquitos are vectors of malaria and yellow fever; fleas are vectors of the plague; aphids are transmitters of plant diseases; when medical scientists talk about vectors they are usually talking about insects

[ Syn: transmitter ]

(genetics) a virus or other agent that is used to deliver DNA to a cell