# quantity
## English
### Etymology

From Middle English quantite, from Old French quantité, from Latin quantitās (“quantity”), from quantus (“how much”).

### Pronunciation

* (UK) IPA: /ˈkwɒn.tɪ.ti/
** Audio (UK):(file)
* (General American) enPR: kwŏnʹ(t)ĭtē, IPA: /ˈkwɑn(t)ɪti/, [ˈkʰwɑn(ɾ)ɨɾi], [ˈkʰwɑn(tʰ)ɨtʰi]
** Audio (US):(file)
** Audio (US):(file) Note: This is with a relaxed middle T, and is only used in colloquial contexts by many speakers.
* (Canada) IPA: [ˈkwɑnɾəɾi]
** Audio (Canada):(file)
* (obsolete) IPA: /ˈkwæn.tɪ.ti/, /ˈkwæn.tɪ.tɪ/

### Noun

quantity (countable and uncountable, plural quantities) (abbreviated qty)
* A fundamental, generic term used when referring to the measurement (count, amount) of a scalar, vector, number of items or to some other way of denominating the value of a collection or group of items.
    You have to choose between quantity and quality.
* An indefinite amount of something.
    Some soap making oils are best as base oils, used in a larger quantity in the soap, while other oils are best added in a small quantity.
    Olive oil can be used practically in any quantity.
* A specific measured amount.
    This bag would normally cost $497.50 for a quantity of 250, at a price of $1.99 per piece.
    Generally it should not be used in a quantity larger than 15 percent.
* A considerable measure or amount.
    The Boeing P-26A was the first all-metal monoplane fighter produced in quantity for the U.S. Army Air Corps.
* (metrology) Property of a phenomenon, body, or substance, where the property has a magnitude that can be expressed as number and a reference.
* (mathematics) Indicates that the entire preceding expression is henceforth considered a single object.
    x plus y quantity squared equals x squared plus 2xy plus y squared.
** 2006, Jerome E. Kaufmann, Karen Schwitters, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: A Combined Approach, page 89:For problems 58-67, translate each word phrase into an algebraic expression. […] 65. x plus 9, the quantity squared
** 2005, R. Mark Sirkin, Statistics For The Social Sciences, page 137:The second, $(\sum x)^{2}$, read "summation of x, quantity squared," tells us to first add up all the xs to get $\sum x$ and then square $\sum x$ to get $(\sum x)^{2}$.
** 1985, Serge Lang, Math!: Encounters with High School Students, page 54:ANN. $ra$ quantity cubed. SERGE LANG. That's right, $(ra)^{3}$.
* (phonology) Length of sounds.

#### Usage notes

* In mathematics, used to unambiguously orate mathematical equations; it is extremely rare in print, since there is no need for it there.

#### Derived terms

* dimensionless quantity
* hidden quantity
* in quantity
* known quantity
* physical quantity
* quantity discount
* quantity of motion
* quantity surveyor
* quantity theory of money
* unknown quantity
* vowel quantity

#### Related terms

* quant
* quanta
* quantifier
* quantify
* quantitate
* quantitative
* quantum

#### Translations

    The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

#### See also

* measure
* unit

### Further reading

* “quantity”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
* “quantity”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
* “quantity”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.