early 15c., "commercial agent, deputy, one who buys or sells for another," from Middle French facteur "agent, representative" (Old French factor, faitor "doer, author, creator"), from Latin factor "doer, maker, performer," in Medieval Latin, "agent," agent noun from past participle stem of facere "to do" (see factitious). In commerce, especially "a commission merchant." Mathematical sense is from 1670s. Sense of "circumstance producing a result" is attested by 1816, from the mathematical sense.
factor (v.)
1610s, "act as an agent, manage," from factor (n.). The use in mathematics is attested from 1837. Related: Factored; factoring.
例文
1. Stress，both human and mechanical，may also be a contributing factor .
人からの圧力と機械的な圧力も1つの要素である可能性がある。
2.Environmentalists say a critical factor in the city 's pollation is its population.
環境保護主義者は、都市汚染問題を引き起こす重要な要素の1つが人口数だと述べた。
3.This factor will come increasingly to the fore as election day nears.
選挙日が近づくにつれて、この要素はますます重要になるだろう。
4.Obesity is a major risk factor in many diseases.
肥満は多くの病気を引き起こす重要な要素である。
5.A key factor in running a business is the delegation of responsibility.