- quantity
- Number of units or lots of a futures contract. Sometimes also called size. Chicago Mercantile Exchange Glossary
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quantity quan‧ti‧ty [ˈkwɒntti ǁ ˈkwɑːn-] noun quantities PLURALFORM1. [countable] an amount of something that can be counted or measured:• A small quantity of our oil is sold to France.
• Stock managers have raised huge quantities of cash.
• Citrus fruits are grown but not in commercial quantities (= amounts large enough to be sold ) .
ˌeconomic ˈorder ˌquantity [uncountable] ACCOUNTINGthe best amount of goods to order at one time, when considering all the costs involved, including costs of sending the order, storing the goods etc2. [uncountable] used to talk about how much of something there is:• The quantity and quality of personnel is inadequate.
3. in quantity in large amounts:• We offer special prices if you buy in quantity.
4. a known/an unknown quantity someone or something that people know something about or know very little about:• The new director is a known quantity, having served as finance administrator to the company from 1986 to 90.
• The administration of an annuity is an unknown quantity and the charge may rise from the current 1%.
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quantity UK US /ˈkwɒntəti/ noun► [C] an amount or number of something, especially one that can be measured: quantity of sth »A sudden surge in the quantity of stock available would almost certainly depress the price.
huge/large/vast quantity »Asian central banks have been buying huge quantities of Treasury bonds.
in large/small quantities »Supermarkets, being able to buy in large quantities, can offer their customers the best prices.
► [U] used to talk about how much there is of something, rather than its quality: »Our focus is on quality, not quantity.
»While quantity is of course important, quality must remain the highest priority.
► [C or U] a large amount or number of something: »Poorer people can't afford to bulk buy and save by purchasing in quantity.
»The sheer quantity of detail makes the book a valuable tool.
a quantity of sth »Officers seized computer equipment as well as a quantity of cash and drugs in the raids.
→ See also BILL OF QUANTITIES(Cf. ↑bill of quantities), ECONOMIC ORDER QUANTITY(Cf. ↑economic order quantity), EQUILIBRIUM QUANTITY(Cf. ↑equilibrium quantity)
Financial and business terms. 2012.
