calculate

calculate
[16] Calculate comes from the past participial stem of the Latin verb calculāre, a derivative of the noun calculus, which meant ‘pebble’. This was almost certainly a diminutive form of Latin calx, from which English gets calcium and chalk. The notion of ‘counting’ was present in the word from ancient times, for a specialized sense of Latin calculus was ‘stone used in counting, counter’ (its modern mathematical application to differential and integral calculus dates from the 18th century). Another sense of Latin calculus was ‘stone in the bladder or kidney’, which was its meaning when originally borrowed into English in the 17th century. => CALCARIOUS, CALCIUM, CALCULUS, CAUSEWAY, CHALK
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   The process of solving or computing derives its name from Latin calculus, 'pebble,' since stones or pebbles were originally used as counters when reckoning. Hence calculus as the term for a special branch of mathematics.

The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins. 2013.

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  • Calculate — Cal cu*late, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Calculater}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Calculating}.] [L, calculatus, p. p. of calculate, fr. calculus a pebble, a stone used in reckoning; hence, a reckoning, fr. calx, calcis, a stone used in gaming, limestone. See… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • calculate on — ˈcalculate on [transitive] [present tense I/you/we/they calculate on he/she/it calculate on present participle calculate on past tense calculate on …   Useful english dictionary

  • calculate — calculate, compute, estimate, reckon mean to determine something (as cost, speed, or quantity) by mathematical and especially arithmetical processes. Calculate is usually preferred when highly advanced, intricate, or elaborate processes are… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • calculate — UK US /ˈkælkjəleɪt/ verb [T] ► to find an amount or number using mathematics: calculate according to/based on/on the basis of »Their pension will be calculated on the basis of their earnings and length of service. calculate that »It has been… …   Financial and business terms

  • calculate — 1. The meaning ‘to suppose or reckon’, without any reference to working something out, is regional American in origin (19c, eg. I calculate it s pretty difficult to git edication down at Charleston) and is not standard in any variety of English.… …   Modern English usage

  • calculate — [kal′kyo͞o lāt΄, kal′kyəlāt΄] vt. calculated, calculating [< L calculatus, pp. of calculare, to reckon < calculus, pebble, stone used in doing arithmetic, dim. of calx, limestone: see CALCIUM] 1. to determine by using mathematics; compute 2 …   English World dictionary

  • Calculate — Cal cu*late, v. i. To make a calculation; to forecast consequences; to estimate; to compute. [1913 Webster] The strong passions, whether good or bad, never calculate. F. W. Robertson. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • calculate — [v1] compute or estimate amount account, add, adjust, appraise, assay, cast, cipher, consider, count, determine, divide, dope out*, enumerate, figure, forecast, foretell, gauge, guess, judge, keep tabs*, measure, multiply, number, rate, reckon,… …   New thesaurus

  • calculate — ► VERB 1) determine mathematically. 2) (calculate on) include as an essential element in one s plans. 3) intend (an action) to have a particular effect. DERIVATIVES calculable adjective. ORIGIN Latin calculare count , from calculus small p …   English terms dictionary

  • calculate — I verb account, appraise, ascertain mathematically, assess, average out, cast accounts, cipher, computare, compute, consider, count, design, determine, devise, enumerate, estimate, evaluate, figure, figure out, form an estimate, furnish an… …   Law dictionary

  • calculate on — index anticipate (expect) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

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