Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1600-1700
Language: Modern Latin
Origin: para- ( PARA-) + Greek metron 'measure'

parameter

 noun
     
pa‧ram‧e‧ter [countable usually plural]
a set of fixed limits that control the way that something should be done:
The inquiry has to stay within the parameters laid down by Congress.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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