weighting
    n 1: (statistics) a coefficient assigned to elements of a
         frequency distribution in order to represent their relative
         importance [syn: weight, weighting]

Weight \Weight\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weighted; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Weighting.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. To load with a weight or weights; to load down; to make
      heavy; to attach weights to; as, to weight a horse or a
      jockey at a race; to weight a whip handle.
      [1913 Webster]

            The arrows of satire, . . . weighted with sense.
                                                  --Coleridge.
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   2. (Astron. & Physics) To assign a weight to; to express by a
      number the probable accuracy of, as an observation. See
      Weight of observations, under Weight.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Dyeing) To load (fabrics) as with barite, to increase the
      weight, etc.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   4. (Math.) to assign a numerical value expressing relative
      importance to (a measurement), to be multiplied by the
      value of the measurement in determining averages or other
      aggregate quantities; as, they weighted part one of the
      test twice as heavily as part 2.
      [PJC]
      [1913 Webster]