multivariate

UK: ˌmʌltiˈvɛəriət | US: ˌmʌltiˈvɛriət

Definition

  1. adj. involving or dependent on multiple variables (e.g., in mathematics or statistics).

Structure
multi <many>vari <vary>ate <adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word "multivariate" combines Latin-derived morphemes:

  • "Multi" (from Latin multus, meaning "many")
  • "Vari" (from Latin varius, meaning "diverse" or "changing")
  • "Ate" (a suffix forming adjectives, often indicating a relationship or state).

Originally used in mathematics and statistics, "multivariate" describes systems or analyses involving multiple interdependent variables. The term reflects the logical progression from "many" (multi) to "varied elements" (vari) combined into a single concept (ate).

Examples

  1. Multivariate analysis helps researchers understand complex data patterns.

  2. The study used a multivariate approach to examine climate factors.

  3. This model requires multivariate calculus to solve.

  4. Multivariate regression accounts for several influencing variables.

  5. Her thesis focused on multivariate statistical methods.