integral definition

1. Lacking nothing of completeness; complete; perfect; uninjured; whole; entire. "A local motion keepeth bodies integral." (Bacon)

2. Essential to completeness; constituent, as a part; pertaining to, or serving to form, an integer; integrant. "Ceasing to do evil, and doing good, are the two great integral parts that complete this duty." (South)

3. <mathematics> Of, pertaining to, or being, a whole number or undivided quantity; not fractional. Pertaining to, or proceeding by, integration; as, the integral calculus. Integral calculus. See Calculus.

Origin: Cf. F. Integral. See Integer.

1. A whole; an entire thing; a whole number; an individual.

2. <mathematics> An expression which, being differentiated, will produce a given differential. See differential Differential, and Integration. Cf. Fluent. Elliptic integral, one of an important class of integrals, occurring in the higher mathematics; so called because one of the integrals expresses the length of an arc of an ellipse.

(01 Mar 1998)