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noun Uncommon

Nat

nat
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Nat (noun) means a unit for measuring information or entropy, based on natural logarithms (used in information theory as an alternative to the bit). Example: “Researchers sometimes express entropy in nats rather than bits when working with natural-log calculations.”

noun
1
A unit for measuring information or entropy, based on natural logarithms (used in information theory as an alternative to the bit).
"Researchers sometimes express entropy in nats rather than bits when working with natural-log calculations."
2
Informal short form for a member or supporter of a political party with "National" in its name (e.g., the Scottish National Party).
"The newspaper described the rally as packed with Nats waving flags."

How to use Nat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a technical unit of information (in computing/statistics) or an informal nickname for a supporter of a "National" party.

When to use it

The information-theory sense is technical/academic; the political sense is informal, often used in UK and Commonwealth news media.

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Word forms

Plural
Nats
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Researchers sometimes express entropy in _____ rather than bits when working with natural-log calculations.

Etymology

A borrowing from Burmese နတ် (nat).

Synonyms

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nit

Related words

idiot fool nit

Rhymes for Nat

gnat
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Frequently asked questions

What does “Nat” mean?
The word “Nat” means a unit for measuring information or entropy, based on natural logarithms (used in information theory as an alternative to the bit). In plain terms, either a technical unit of information (in computing/statistics) or an informal nickname for a supporter of a "National" party.
How do you pronounce “Nat”?
“Nat” is pronounced nat (/næt/ in IPA).
How do you use “Nat” in a sentence?
Here is “Nat” used in a sentence: “Researchers sometimes express entropy in nats rather than bits when working with natural-log calculations.”
What part of speech is “Nat”?
“Nat” is a noun.
Is “Nat” a common word?
“Nat” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Nat” have?
“Nat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a unit for measuring information or entropy, based on natural logarithms (used in information theory as an alternative to the bit).
What is a nat in information theory, and how does it differ from a bit?
A nat is a unit for measuring information or entropy based on natural logarithms, used as an alternative to the bit in information theory. The bit uses base-2 logarithms, while the nat uses base-e, so the two units measure the same underlying quantity on different logarithmic scales.
Is 'Nat' short for a political party supporter?
Yes, in informal British usage, "Nat" is a short form for a member or supporter of a political party with "National" in its name, such as the Scottish National Party. It is typically used in news and political commentary rather than formal writing.
Is 'nat' used differently in science versus politics?
Yes. In information theory, a nat is a technical unit of measurement for entropy, while in political contexts "Nat" is an informal, often journalistic label for a party supporter. The two uses are unrelated and context makes clear which meaning applies.

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