array

[uh-rey] /əˈreɪ/
verb (used with object)
1.
to place in proper or desired order; marshal:
Napoleon arrayed his troops for battle.
2.
to clothe with garments, especially of an ornamental kind; dress up; deck out:
She arrayed herself in furs and diamonds.
noun
3.
order or arrangement, as of troops drawn up for battle.
4.
military force, especially a body of troops.
5.
a large and impressive grouping or organization of things:
He couldn't dismiss the array of facts.
6.
regular order or arrangement; series:
an array of figures.
7.
a large group, number, or quantity of people or things:
an impressive array of scholars; an imposing array of books.
8.
attire; dress:
in fine array.
9.
an arrangement of interrelated objects or items of equipment for accomplishing a particular task:
thousands of solar cells in one vast array.
10.
Mathematics, Statistics.
  1. an arrangement of a series of terms according to value, as from largest to smallest.
  2. an arrangement of a series of terms in some geometric pattern, as in a matrix.
11.
Computers. a block of related data elements, each of which is usually identified by one or more subscripts.
12.
Radio. antenna array.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English arrayen < Anglo-French arayer, Old French are(y)er < Germanic; compare Old English ārǣdan to prepare, equivalent to ā- a-3 + ræde ready
Related forms
arrayer, noun
unarrayed, adjective
well-arrayed, adjective
Synonyms
1. arrange, range, order, dispose. 2. apparel, dress, attire; ornament, adorn, decorate. 3. disposition. 5. show, exhibit, exhibition. 8. raiment.
Examples from the web for arrays
  • They are formed of simple molecules or individual elements arranged in repeating chains, sheets, or three-dimensional arrays.
  • Spacecraft makers employ it to fold telescope mirrors and arrays of solar cells into small spaces on board satellites.
  • Now investors in solar arrays have to compete with fewer subsidies.
  • Neutrino telescopes are vast arrays of sensors located deep underground or under the sea.
  • Equally important, they could be packed into arrays capable of monitoring thousands of stars simultaneously.
  • The prosthetic will rely on micro-arrays, implanted into the brain, that record signals and transmit them to the device.
  • Designs have been proposed before that include floating or flying solar arrays.
  • The research team tried silicon wire arrays instead of traditional silicon panels.
  • But researchers have been working on sensor arrays that could reveal problems long before a roadway is on the brink.
  • Once, she recalled, the company noticed that all the arrays in one area were producing less power than expected.
British Dictionary definitions for arrays

array

/əˈreɪ/
noun
1.
an impressive display or collection
2.
an orderly or regular arrangement, esp of troops in battle order
3.
(poetic) rich clothing; apparel
4.
(maths) a sequence of numbers or symbols in a specified order
5.
(maths) a set of numbers or symbols arranged in rows and columns, as in a determinant or matrix
6.
(electronics) an arrangement of aerials spaced to give desired directional characteristics, used esp in radar
7.
(law) a panel of jurors
8.
the arming of military forces
9.
(computing) a regular data structure in which individual elements may be located by reference to one or more integer index variables, the number of such indices being the number of dimensions in the array
verb (transitive)
10.
to dress in rich attire; adorn
11.
to arrange in order (esp troops for battle); marshal
12.
(law) to draw up (a panel of jurors)
Derived Forms
arrayal, noun
Word Origin
C13: from Old French aroi arrangement, from arayer to arrange, of Germanic origin; compare Old English arǣdan to make ready
Word Origin and History for arrays

array

v.

early 14c., from stem of Old French areer "to put in order," from Vulgar Latin *ar-redare (source of Italian arredare), from Latin ad- "to" (see ad-) + Frankish *ræd- "ready" or some cognate Germanic source, from Proto-Germanic *raidjan "to place in order" (cf. Gothic garadis, Old English geræde "ready;" see ready (adj.)). Related: Arrayed; arraying.

n.

mid-14c., "order, arrangement," from Anglo-French arrai, Old French aroi, from areer (see array (v.)).

arrays in Science
array
  (ə-rā')   

  1. Mathematics A rectangular arrangement of quantities in rows and columns, as in a matrix.

  2. Numerical data ordered in a linear fashion, by magnitude.