n.
1.a constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves
2.any factor that defines a system and determines (or limits) its performance
3.a quantity (such as the mean or variance) that characterizes a statistical population and that can be estimated by calculations from sample data
Idiom of the Day
keep one's own counsel
to keep one`s ideas and plans to oneself
Our boss always keeps his own counsel and never reveals his plans to anyone.