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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Exponent \Ex*po"nent\, n. [L. exponens, -entis, p. pr. of
exponere to put out, set forth, expose. See {Expound}.]
1. (Alg.) A number, letter, or any quantity written on the
right hand of and above another quantity, and denoting how
many times the latter is repeated as a factor to produce
the power indicated;

Note: thus a^{2} denotes the second power, and a^{x} the xth
power, of a (2 and x being the exponents). A fractional
exponent, or index, is used to denote the root of a
quantity. Thus, a^{1/3} denotes the third or cube root
of a.
[1913 Webster]

2. One who, or that which, stands as an index or
representative; as, the leader of a party is the exponent
of its principles.
[1913 Webster]

3. one who explains, expounds, or interprets.
[PJC]

{Exponent of a ratio}, the quotient arising when the
antecedent is divided by the consequent; thus, 6 is the
exponent of the ratio of 30 to 5. [R.]
[1913 Webster]