parameter

英[pə'ræmɪtə] 美[pə'ræmɪtɚ]

1. a constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves

2. any factor that defines a system and determines (or limits) its performance

3. a quantity (such as the mean or variance) that characterizes a statistical population and that can be estimated by calculations from sample data