array

[uh-rey]

verb (used with object)

1. to place in proper or desired order; marshal.

   Napoleon arrayed his troops for battle.

   Synonyms: dispose, order, range, arrange

2. to clothe with garments, especially of an ornamental kind; dress up; deck out.

   She arrayed herself in furs and diamonds.

   Synonyms: decorate, adorn, ornament, attire, dress, apparel

noun

1. order or arrangement, as of troops drawn up for battle.

   Synonyms: disposition

2. military force, especially a body of troops.

3. a large and impressive grouping or organization of things.

   He couldn't dismiss the array of facts.

   Synonyms: exhibition, exhibit, show

4. regular order or arrangement; series.

   an array of figures.

5. a large group, number, or quantity of people or things.

   an impressive array of scholars; an imposing array of books.

6. attire; dress.

   in fine array.

   Synonyms: raiment

7. an arrangement of interrelated objects or items of equipment for accomplishing a particular task.

   thousands of solar cells in one vast array.

8. Mathematics, Statistics.

   1. an arrangement of a series of terms according to value, as from largest to smallest.

   2. an arrangement of a series of terms in some geometric pattern, as in a matrix.

9. Computers.,  a block of related data elements, each of which is usually identified by one or more subscripts.

10. Radio.,  antenna array.

array

/ əˈreɪ /

noun

1. an impressive display or collection

2. an orderly or regular arrangement, esp of troops in battle order

3. poetic,  rich clothing; apparel

4. maths a sequence of numbers or symbols in a specified order

5. maths a set of numbers or symbols arranged in rows and columns, as in a determinant or matrix

6. electronics an arrangement of aerials spaced to give desired directional characteristics, used esp in radar

7. law a panel of jurors

8. the arming of military forces

9. computing a regular data structure in which individual elements may be located by reference to one or more integer index variables, the number of such indices being the number of dimensions in the array

verb

1. to dress in rich attire; adorn

2. to arrange in order (esp troops for battle); marshal

3. law to draw up (a panel of jurors)

array

1. Mathematics,  A rectangular arrangement of quantities in rows and columns, as in a matrix.

2. Numerical data ordered in a linear fashion, by magnitude.

Other Word Forms

• arrayer noun
• unarrayed adjective
• well-arrayed adjective
• arrayal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of array¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English arrayen, from Anglo-French arayer, Old French are(y)er, from Germanic; compare Old English ārǣdan “to prepare,” equivalent to ā- a- ³ + ræde “prompt”

Word History and Origins

Origin of array¹

C13: from Old French aroi arrangement, from arayer to arrange, of Germanic origin; compare Old English arǣdan to make ready

Example Sentences

An array of factors led to this low estimation of the Fourth Estate, but the death of local journalism is close to the top of the list.

From Salon

The menu spans steaks and chops to an array of over-the-top sushi, small plates, and seafood, all with an Asian-fusion twist.

From Salon

Expect some considerable haggling with the OBR from the freshly recruited array of high-powered Downing Street economists.

From BBC

Besides an array of conventional aerial drones, there were also "robotic wolves".

From BBC

Her account shows an array of videos about crime incidents, food and clothing giveaways as well as immigration related videos about potential raids and the location of past operations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• batch 
• bunch 
• bundle 
• cluster 
• design 
• display 
• host 
• lineup 
• lot 
• multitude 
• pattern 
• supply