Fac*to"ri*al, n. (Math.) (a) pl. A name given to the factors of a
continued product when the former are derivable from one and the same
function F(x) by successively imparting a constant increment or
decrement h to the independent variable. Thus the product F(x).F(x +
h).F(x + 2h) . . . F[x + (n-1)h] is called a factorial term, and its
several factors take the name of factorials. Brande & C.
(b) The product of the consecutive numbers from unity up to any given
number.
Fac"tor*ing (?), n. (Math.) The act of resolving into factors.
Fac"tor*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Factorized (-?zd); p. pr. & vb. n.
Factorizing (-?"z?ng).] (Law) (a) To give warning to; -- said of a
person in whose hands the effects of another are attached, the warning
being to the effect that he shall not pay the money or deliver the
property of the defendant in his hands to him, but appear and answer
the suit of the plaintiff. (b) To attach (the effects of a debtor) in
the hands of a third person ; to garnish. See Garnish. [Vt. & Conn.]
Fac"tor*ship, n. The business of a factor.
Fac"to*ry (?), n.; pl. Factories (-r&?;z). [Cf. F. factorerie.] 1. A
house or place where factors, or commercial agents, reside, to transact
business for their employers. "The Company's factory at Madras." Burke.
2. The body of factors in any place; as, a chaplain to a British
factory. W. Guthrie.
3. A building, or collection of buildings, appropriated to the
manufacture of goods; the place where workmen are employed in
fabricating goods, wares, or utensils; a manufactory; as, a cotton
factory.
Factory leg (Med.), a variety of bandy leg, associated with partial
dislocation of the tibia, produced in young children by working in
factories.
Fac*to"tum (fk*t"tm), n.; pl. Factotums (- tmz). [L., do everything;
facere to do + totus all : cf. F. factotum. See Fact, and Total.] A
person employed to do all kinds of work or business. B. Jonson.