a. and sb. [ad. L. expōnent-em, pr. pple. of expōnĕre: see EXPONE v.]
A. adj. That sets forth or interprets. In Logic, of a proposition.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 111. The very same rule … framyng a sounde & probable Argument from the proposition Exponent, to the Exclusiue.
1847. Sir W. Hamilton, Lett. to A. De Morgan, 6. The doctrine of which the Requirements were exponent.
B. sb. One who or that which sets forth.
1. One who sets forth in words, expounds or interprets; in recent use occas. one who ‘interprets’ music, an executant. Also, that which serves to explain or interpret.
1812. Coleridge, in Southey’s Omniana, II. 12. Whatever is common to all languages … must be the Exponent and Consequent of the common consciousness of man.
1834. H. N. Coleridge, Grk. Poets (ed. 2), 28. One of those tongues may be an imperfect exponent of the other.
1841. Myers, Cath. Th., IV. § 31. 231. They consider that JESUS CHRIST is the clearest exponent of His own purposes.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), II. vi. 13. This form of discontent found its exponent in John Wycliffe.
1875. Ouseley, Mus. Form, ii. 27. Vocal music is very dependant on the words to which it is set, and of which it should be the exponent.
2. Math. a. Algebra. A symbol denoting the number of times a particular quantity is to be taken as a factor to produce the power indicated; an index. It is now written as a small letter or figure at the right hand of and above the symbol of the quantity affected by it. † b. Exponent of the Ratio (see quot. 1706). c. Physics. Exponent of Refraction: = ‘index’ or ‘coefficient’ of refraction (? obs.).
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Exponent of the Ratio or Proportion between two Numbers or Quantities, is the Quotient arising, when the Antecedent is divided by the Consequent. Thus 6 is the Exponent of the Ratio that 30 has to 5.
1734. Berkeley, Analyst, § 45. We may often observe that the Exponents of Fluxions … are confounded with the Fluxions themselves.
1807. Hutton, Course Math., II. 283. Whether the exponent be positive or negative, integral or fractional.
1859. Barn. Smith, Arith. & Algebra (ed. 6), 198. The figures 2, 3 … m … are called Exponents.
3. He who or that which sets forth as a representative or type, as a symbol or index.
1825. Coleridge, Aids Refl. (1848), I. 260. To one or other of these four heads all the numerous forms and exponents of Christ’s mediation in St. Paul’s writings may be referred.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Fr. Wines & Pol., ix. 145. Price is the exponent of exchangeable value.
1842. Grove, Corr. Phys. Forces (1850), 25. The motion of the mass becomes the exponent of the amount of heat of the molecules.
1880. L. Stephen, Pope, v. 135. Theobald … as a plodding antiquarian, was an excellent exponent of dullness.
