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Idempotent

//ˌaɪ.dəmˈpoʊ.tənt// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    (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. not-comparable

    "A projection operator is idempotent."

  2. 2
    (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. not-comparable

    "Every finite semigroup has an idempotent element."

  3. 3
    (said of a binary operation) Such that all of the distinct elements it can operate on are idempotent (in the sense given just above). not-comparable

    "Since the AND logical operator is commutative, associative, and idempotent, it distributes with respect to itself."

  4. 4
    (said of an algebraic structure) Having an idempotent operation (in the sense given above). not-comparable
Adjective
  1. 1
    unchanged in value following multiplication by itself wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    An idempotent element.
  2. 2
    An idempotent structure.

Etymology

Etymology 1

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.

Etymology 2

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.

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