idempotent

== English == === Etymology === From Latin roots idem (“same”) +‎ potent (“having power”), thus “having the same power”. Coined in 1870 by American mathematician Benjamin Peirce in the context of algebra, later generalized to computer science. === Pronunciation === (US) IPA(key): /ˌaɪ.dəmˈpoʊ.tənt/, /ˌɪ.dəmˈpoʊ.tənt/, /aɪˈdɛm.pə.tənt/ Rhymes: -əʊtənt === Adjective === idempotent (not comparable) (mathematics, computing) (said of a function) Such that, when performed multiple times on the same subject, it has no further effect on its subject after the first time it is performed. (mathematics) (said of an element of an algebraic structure with a binary operation, such as a group or semigroup) Such that, when it operates on itself, the result is equal to itself. (mathematics) (said of a binary operation) Such that all of the distinct elements it can operate on are idempotent (in the sense given just above). (mathematics) (said of an algebraic structure) Having an idempotent operation (in the sense given above). ==== Usage notes ==== See nullipotent§Usage notes. ==== Coordinate terms ==== nilpotent nullipotent ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== idempotence nilpotent nullipotent unipotent ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== involutory === Noun === idempotent (plural idempotents) (mathematics) An idempotent element. (mathematics) An idempotent structure. === References === “idempotent” at FOLDOC == French == === Pronunciation === === Adjective === idempotent (feminine idempotente, masculine plural idempotents, feminine plural idempotentes) idempotent == German == === Pronunciation === === Adjective === idempotent (strong nominative masculine singular idempotenter, not comparable) idempotent ==== Declension ==== == Swedish == === Adjective === idempotent idempotent == Turkish == === Adjective === idempotent idempotent