An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Math.: A symbol or number placed above and after another symbol or number (called the base) to denote the power to which the latter is to be raised. Examples: n in the expresseion aⁿ; 3 in the expression 2³.

Etymology (EN): From L. exponentem, pr.p. of exponere “put forth, explain,” from → ex- “forth” + ponere “to put, to place.”

Etymology (PE): Nemâ, agent noun of nemudan “to show, display,” from Mid.Pers. nimūdan, from ne- “down; into;” O.Pers./Av. ni- “down; into,” → ni-, + mun, Av. māy- “to measure,” → display.