Factor \Fac"tor\, n. [L. factor a doer: cf. F. facteur a factor.
See Fact.]
1. (Law) One who transacts business for another; an agent; a
substitute; especially, a mercantile agent who buys and
sells goods and transacts business for others in
commission; a commission merchant or consignee. He may be
a home factor or a foreign factor. He may buy and sell in
his own name, and he is intrusted with the possession and
control of the goods; and in these respects he differs
from a broker. --Story. --Wharton.
My factor sends me word, a merchant's fled That owes
me for a hundred tun of wine. --Marlowe.
2. A steward or bailiff of an estate. [Scot.]
--Sir W. Scott.
3. (Math.) One of the elements or quantities which, when
multiplied together, from a product.
4. One of the elements, circumstances, or influences which
contribute to produce a result; a constituent.
The materal and dynamical factors of nutrition. --H.
Spencer.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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