名詞 parameter:

1. a constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves
   同義詞：parametric quantity
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

1. Spend by each department have to fall within certain parameter.
   每個部門的開支必須屬于確定的系數(shù)之內(nèi)。
2. We have to work within the parameters of time and budget.
   我們工作受時間和財力所限。

pa.ram.e.ter

n.（名詞）
Mathematics
【數(shù)學】
A constant in an equation that varies in other equations of the same general form, especially such a constant in the equation of a curve or surface that can be varied to represent a family of curves or surfaces.
參數(shù)，參量：在相同一般類型的等式中取值變化的等式中的常數(shù)或常量，尤其是曲線方程和平面方程中能代表一類曲線或平面的常量
One of a set of independent variables that express the coordinates of a point.
變量，參數(shù)：一組代表與之對應的點的獨立變量之一

One of a set of measurable factors, such as temperature and pressure, that define a system and determine its behavior and are varied in an experiment.
要素，測量元素之一：一組可測量的確定某一系統(tǒng)并決定該系統(tǒng)的狀況且在實驗中是變化的因素之一，例如溫度和壓力
Usage Problem A factor that restricts what is possible or what results:
【用法疑難】 限制因素：限定可能性和結(jié)果的因素：
例句：
.all the parameters of shelter—where people will live, what mode of housing they will choose, and how they will pay for it.(New York)
.住宿的所有限制因素——人們住在哪里、他們將選擇什么樣的住房式樣以及他們?nèi)绾胃斗垮X.(紐約)

A factor that determines a range of variations; a boundary:
決定變數(shù)范圍的要素，范圍，界限：決定變化范圍的因素；限度：
例句：
an experimental school that keeps expanding the parameters of its curriculum.
一所不斷擴展課程范圍的實驗學校

Statistics A quantity, such as a mean, that is calculated from data and describes a population.
【統(tǒng)計學】 母數(shù)：一種如平均數(shù)等從數(shù)據(jù)中計算出來的用來描述總體的數(shù)值
Usage Problem A distinguishing characteristic or feature.
【用法疑難】 特色，特征：區(qū)別于其它事物的特點或性質(zhì)

來源：
New Latin parametrum [a line through the focus and parallel to the directrix of a conic]
現(xiàn)代拉丁語 parametrum [通過焦點并與圓錐曲線的準軸線平行的直線]
Greek para- [beside] * see para-
希臘語 para- [在旁邊] *參見 para-
Greek metron [measure] * see -meter
希臘語 metron [測量] *參見 -meter

【引伸】
par.amet.ric
par.amet.rically
adv.（副詞）
In recent yearsparameter has become the archetype for the borrowing of scientific terms into general usage and as such has occasioned a good deal of skeptical comment.Some of its new uses can be justified as useful extensions of the technical senses of the word.For example, the provisions of a zoning ordinance that limit the height or density of new construction can be reasonably likened to mathematical parameters that establish the limits of other variables.Therefore one can properly sayThe zoning commission announced new planning parameters for the historic Lamping district of the city. But other uses suggest that the writer has not understood the technical senseand has chosen it primarily as a way of injecting an aura of scientific precision into what would otherwise be a pedestrian communication.Thus there is no semantic justification for usingparameter as a general substitute for characteristic, as inThe Judeo-Christian ethic is one of the important parameters of Western culture, an example found unacceptable by 80 percent of the Usage Panel. ·Some of the difficulties with nontechnical use ofparameter appear to arise from its resemblance to the word perimeter, with which it shares the sense .limit,. though the two words differ in their precise meaning.This confusion doubtless explains the use ofparameter in a sentence such as U.S. forces report that the parameters of the mine area in the Gulf are fairly well established, where the wordperimeter would have expressed the intended sense more exactly. This example of a use ofparameter was unacceptable to ' percent of the Usage Panel.
近些年來，parameter 已成為一個從科技術語借用到普通用法的原形， 同時也引起了大量的懷疑批評。它的某些新用法可被看作是該詞科技含義的有益擴展。例如，某一區(qū)域性法規(guī)中關于新建筑高度或密度的條文能被合理地與制定其它變量限度的數(shù)學參量進行比較。因而，人們當然可以說地區(qū)委員會公布了歷史上該城有名的燈區(qū)新計劃方案 。 但其它的一些用法說明說話人還沒有理解它的科技含義，并且選用了這個詞主要作為給將是普通交流的東西注入一些精確的科學氣息的途徑。因此，用parameter 作為 characteristic 的一般等價詞毫無語義上的合理性， 如在猶太教與基督教的道德規(guī)范是西方文化中重要的限制因素 ， 是80%的用法小組成員不接受的例子。Parameter 的非科技運用中的一些難點是由于它與 perimeter 都有.限制.的含義造成的， 盡管兩個詞的確切含義是不相同的。這種混淆無疑解釋了parameter 在例如 美軍報告說，海灣地雷區(qū)的環(huán)形防線設置得相當不錯 的句子中的運用， 這里perimeter 可能會更確切地表達這種引申含義。 '%的用法小組成員不接受這個運用parameter 的例子