Abacus

From Fresh Dictionary

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Contents

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English

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Etymology

Latin abacus, abax, from Greek ἄβαξ ('a`bax)

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Pronunciation

  • (RP) IPA: /ˈæbəkəs/
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Noun

abacus (plural: abacuses or abaci (considered pedantic))

  1. (obsolete) A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc.
  2. A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens, etc.
    I've heard merchants still use an abacus for adding things up in China.
  3. (architecture{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}) The uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave.
  4. (archaic) A tablet, panel, or compartment in ornamented or mosaic work.
  5. A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like; a kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard.
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Translations

obsolete: tray of sand for calculating

calculating frame

uppermost member of the capital of a column

tablet/panel/compartment in ornamented mosaic work

board for holding cups, etc

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Translations to be checked

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Derived terms

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Related terms

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References

  • Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (G & C. Merriam Co., 1913, edited by Noah Porter), ARTFL version at [1]
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Shorthand

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Gregg


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Latin

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Etymology

Ancient Greek αβαξ

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Noun

abacus m., pl. abaci

  1. a square board; hence, a sideboard, counting-board, gaming-board, ceiling-panel.ar:abacus

de:abacus fr:abacus io:abacus it:abacus la:abacus nl:abacus fi:abacus sv:abacus uk:abacus zh:abacus

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