/ Dictionary / Index C characteristic root: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: char'acteris'tic root' Pronunciation: [key] — Math. Math. a scalar for which there exists a nonzero vector such that the scalar times the vector equals the value of the vector under a given linear transformation on a vector space. a root of the characteristic equation of a given matrix. Also called Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. characteristic polynomial characteristic vector Related Content Daily Word Quiz: cautious Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language