Factoid


[fak-toid] /ˈfæk tɔɪd/

noun
1.
an insignificant or trivial .
2.
something fictitious or unsubstantiated that is presented as , devised especially to gain publicity and accepted because of constant repetition.
/ˈfæktɔɪd/
noun
1.
a piece of unreliable information believed to be true because of the way it is presented or repeated in print
n.

1973, from fact + -oid, first explained, if not coined, by Norman Mailer.

Factoids … that is, facts which have no existence before appearing in a magazine or newspaper, creations which are not so much lies as a product to manipulate emotion in the Silent Majority. [Mailer, “Marilyn,” 1973]

noun

A presumed fact of dubious validity; a popular assumption or belief: Of the eight factoids pertaining to the present Administration/ a paragraph, part human interest, part factoid

Related Terms

-oid

[1970s+; fr fact plus -oid]

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  • Factorable

    [fak-ter] /ˈfæk tər/ noun 1. one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation: Poverty is only one of the factors in crime. 2. Mathematics. one of two or more numbers, algebraic expressions, or the like, that when multiplied together produce a given product; a divisor: 6 and 3 are factors of 18. […]

  • Factorage

    [fak-ter-ij] /ˈfæk tər ɪdʒ/ noun 1. the action or business of a . 2. the allowance or commission paid to a . /ˈfæktərɪdʒ/ noun 1. the commission payable to a factor

  • Factor-group

    noun, Mathematics. 1. .

  • Factorial

    [fak-tawr-ee-uh l, -tohr-] /fækˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr-/ noun 1. Mathematics. the product of a given positive integer multiplied by all lesser positive integers: The quantity four factorial (4!) = 4 ⋅ 3 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 1 = 24. Symbol: n!, where n is the given integer. adjective 2. Mathematics. of or relating to or factorials. […]


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