catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Denominator \De*nom"i*na`tor\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]nominateur.]
     1. One who, or that which, gives a name; origin or source of
        a name.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              This opinion that Aram . . . was the father and
              denomination of the Syrians in general. --Sir W.
                                                    Raleigh.
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     2. (Arith.) That number placed below the line in common
        fractions which shows into how many parts the integer or
        unit is divided.
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     Note: Thus, in 3/5, 5 is the denominator, showing that the
           integer is divided into five parts; and the numerator,
           3, shows how many parts are taken.
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     3. (Alg.) That part of any expression under a fractional form
        which is situated below the horizontal line signifying
        division.
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     Note: In this sense, the denominator is not necessarily a
           number, but may be any expression, either positive or
           negative, real or imaginary. --Davies & Peck (Math.
           Dict.)
           [1913 Webster]
  
     common denominator a number which can divide either of two
        or more other numbers without leaving a remainder in any
        of the divisions; as, 2 and 4 are common denominators of
        12 and 28..
  
     greatest common denominator the largest common
        denominator of two or more numbers; as, 9 is the greatest
        common denominator of 18 and 27..
        [PJC]