factor

ot noun

1. A doer, maker; a person who does things for another person or organization. The factor of the trading post bought the furs.
2. One of the elements, circumstances, or influences which contribute to produce a result. The economy was a factor in this year's budget figures.
3. Any of various objects multiplied together to form some whole. 3 is a factor of 12, as are 2, 4 and 6.
4. (causal analysis) Influence; a phenomenon that affects the nature, the magnitude, and/or the timing of a consequence. The launch temperature was a factor of the Challenger disaster.

fe’l verb

1. To find all the factors of (a number or other mathematical object) (the objects that divide it evenly).
2. (of a number or other mathematical object) To be a product of other objects.
3. (commercial) To sell a debt or debts to an agent (the factor) to collect.