What is the meaning of determinant?

noun

• A determining or causal element or factor.
  • usage: "education is an important determinant of one's outlook on life"
  • synonyms: determiner, determinative, determining factor, causal factor
• The site on the surface of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself.
  • synonyms: antigenic determinant, epitope
• A square matrix used to solve simultaneous equations.

adjective

• Having the power or quality of deciding.
  • usage: "the crucial experiment"; "cast the deciding vote"; "the determinative (or determinant) battle"
  • synonyms: deciding, determinative, determining