invariant

[in-vair-ee-uh nt] /ɪnˈvɛər i ənt/
adjective
1.
unvarying; invariable; constant.
2.
Mathematics, normal (def 5e).
noun
3.
Mathematics. a quantity or expression that is constant throughout a certain range of conditions.
Origin
1850-55; in-3 + variant
Related forms
invariantly, adverb
Examples from the web for invariant
  • Several exhibited different biometric devices that would scan fingerprints and other invariant parts of a body.
  • They are universally invariant, conditions may change but the laws never vary.
  • The magnetic field is time invariant and uniform in strength over the containment region.
  • The speed of light is invariant for all inertial frames of reference.
  • Finally, some of the genes which explain differences between populations are invariant within a population.
  • Even though the words may differ, the mental constructions tend to be rather invariant across cultures.
  • Humans have an intuition about essences, and the idea of evolution contravenes our expectation of invariant essences.
  • We find universal distributions with scale invariant behaviour.
British Dictionary definitions for invariant

invariant

/ɪnˈvɛərɪənt/
noun
1.
(maths) an entity, quantity, etc, that is unaltered by a particular transformation of coordinates: a point in space, rather than its coordinates, is an invariant
adjective
2.
(maths) (of a relationship or a property of a function, configuration, or equation) unaltered by a particular transformation of coordinates
3.
a rare word for invariable
Derived Forms
invariance, invariancy, noun
Word Origin and History for invariant
adj.

1851, from in- (1) "not" + variant.

invariant in Technology

programming
A rule, such as the ordering of an ordered list or heap, that applies throughout the life of a data structure or procedure. Each change to the data structure must maintain the correctness of the invariant.
(1996-03-12)