cross section

cross section

also cross-sec·tion (krôs′sĕk′shən, krŏs′-)

n.

1.

a. A section formed by a plane cutting through an object, usually at right angles to an axis.

b. A piece so cut or a graphic representation of such a piece.

2. Physics A quantity, measured in units of barns, used to express the probability of an encounter between particles over a given area in a collision. Also called collision cross section.

3. Statistics A sample meant to be representative of a whole population.

4. Informal A variety; a diversity.

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cross′-sec′tion·al adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cross section

n

1. (Mathematics) maths a plane surface formed by cutting across a solid, esp perpendicular to its longest axis

2. (Mathematics) a section cut off in this way

3. the act of cutting anything in this way

4. a random selection or sample, esp one regarded as representative: a cross section of the public.

5. (Surveying) surveying a vertical section of a line of ground at right angles to a survey line

6. (General Physics) physics a measure of the probability that a collision process will result in a particular reaction. It is expressed by the effective area that one participant presents as a target for the other

ˌcross-ˈsectional adj

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

cross′ sec`tion

n.

1. a section made by a plane cutting something transversely, esp. at right angles to the longest axis.

2. a representative sample showing all characteristic parts, relationships, etc., of the whole.

3. a vertical section of the ground surface taken at right angles to a survey line.

4. Physics. a measure of the probability, expressed as the effective area of a given particle, that one particle will interact with another.

cross′-sec′tion, v.t.

cross′-sec′tional, adj.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	cross section - a section created by a plane cutting a solid perpendicular to its longest axis profile - a vertical section of the Earth's crust showing the different horizons or layers plane section, section - (geometry) the area created by a plane cutting through a solid
	2.	cross section - a sample meant to be representative of a whole population sample - a small part of something intended as representative of the whole statistics - a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters
	3.	cross section - (physics) the probability that a particular interaction (as capture or ionization) will take place between particles; measured in barns probability, chance - a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible; "the probability that an unbiased coin will fall with the head up is 0.5" atomic physics, nuclear physics, nucleonics - the branch of physics that studies the internal structure of atomic nuclei

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Translations

section efficace

cross section

n (Bio) → sezione f trasversale; (of population) → campione m (rappresentativo) (Topography) → profilo trasversale

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995