Definition:Integral/Linguistic Note

Linguistic Note on Integral

The word integral has the following meanings in mathematics:

• From the term integral calculus, where it is defined as the subfield of calculus concerned with the rates at which quantities accumulate

• The adjectival form of the word integer, which is in generally deprecated on $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$ as much as practical in favour of using the word integer itself as an adjective

• In abstract algebra, where it arises in the concept of an integral domain.

In all of the above, the word is pronounced in-te-gral.

In natural language, the adjective integral, meaning necessary or inherent, usually encountered in rhetoric.

When used in this context, its pronunciation is in-teg-ral, the stress being on the second syllable.

Also see

• Definition:Integer/Linguistic Note

Sources

• 1989: Ephraim J. Borowski and Jonathan M. Borwein: Dictionary of Mathematics ... (previous) ... (next): integral: 4.