Definition of: vector

(vek′tər) noun
1. Math. a A line representing a physical quantity that has magnitude and direction in space, as velocity, acceleration or force: distinguished from scalar. b A radius vector.
2. Med. A carrier of pathogenic micro-organisms from one host to another: The anopheles mosquito is a vector of the malaria parasite. [<L, carrier <vehere carry]
—vec·to·ri·al (vek·tôr′ē·əl, tō′rē-) adjective