determinant >> /dɪˈtɜːmɪnənt/
Definition: [noun] A determining factor; an element that determines the nature of something.
Definition: [noun] A scalar that encodes certain characteristics of a given transformation matrix; the unique scalar function over square matrices which is distributive over matrix multiplication, multilinear in the rows and columns, and takes the value 1 for the unit matrix; abbreviated as: det.
Definition: [noun] A substance that causes a cell to adopt a particular fate.
Definition: [adjective] Serving to determine or limit; determinative.