aliquot

(ăl'ĭ-kwŏt', -kwət)
adj.
Of, relating to, or denoting an exact divisor or factor of a quantity, especially of an integer.

n.
An aliquot part.

[Latin aliquot, a number of, several : alius, some + quot, how many.]

Who says math isn't relevant in real life? Conservative columnist William F. Buckley confessed to learning a new mathematical term from the Samuel Alito hearings:

"Judge Becker of the Third Circuit Court spoke acidly, and introduced me to a word I hadn't heard before. Becker explained why, for his own part, he had not recused himself from cases involving Vanguard even though his wife owned shares in the company: 'I do not identify Vanguard on my recusal list because... she's never received a proxy statement, an opportunity to vote for directors or any indicia of ownership other than her aliquot share in the fund to the extent of her investment.' Aliquot! Aliquot interests, okay!"

Link: Detoxing Alito

Posted January 15, 2006.

See our Word Overheard blog to see interesting uses of strange words.

A mathematical term used in music to refer to overtones or harmonics; an ‘aliquot piano’ has Sympathetic strings.

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Lat: an even part of the whole; one part contained in a whole which is evenly divisible, i.e., divisible without leaving a remainder. In the case of a resulting trust, it is a particular fraction of the whole property involved, as distinguished from a general interest. 68 N.E. 37.

1. a sample that is representative of the whole.
2. a number that will divide another without a remainder; e.g. 2 is an aliquot of 6.

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