abacus

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Related terms 1.4 References 1.5 Shorthand 2 Latin 2.1 Etymology 2.2 Noun 2.2.1 Inflection 2.2.2 Descendants 2.3 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Entered English circa 16th century. Latin abacus, abax; from Greek ἄβαξ ('a`bax) (board covered with sand), possibly from Hebrew אבק (āvāq) (dust).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ˈæbəkəs/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] 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) 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.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

• abacus harmonicus

[edit] Related terms

• abacist

[edit] References

• abacus in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

[edit] Shorthand

• (Version: Centennial, Series 90,DJS, Simplified,Anniversary, Pre-Anniversary): a - b - a - k - u - comma s

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[edit] Latin

[edit] Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἄβαξ (abax), “‘board’”)

[edit] Noun

abacus (genitive abacī); m, second declension

1. a square board.
2. sideboard.
3. counting board.
4. gaming board.
5. panel.

[edit] Inflection

Second declension (2).

Number	Singular	Plural
nominative	abacus	abacī
genitive	abacī	abacōrum
dative	abacō	abacīs
accusative	abacum	abacōs
ablative	abacō	abacīs
vocative	abace	abacī

[edit] Descendants

• Catalan: àbac
• English: abacus
• French: abaque
• Italian: abaco
• Portuguese: ábaco
• Spanish: ábaco

[edit] References

Professor Kidd, et al. Collins Gem Latin Dictionary. HarperCollins Publishers (Glasgow: 2004). ISBN 0-00-470763-X. page 1.