abacus

[ ab-uh-kuhs, uh-bak-uhs ]
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noun,plural ab·a·cus·es, ab·a·ci [ab-uh-sahy, -kahy, uh-bak-ahy]. /ˈæb əˌsaɪ, -ˌkaɪ, əˈbæk aɪ/.
  1. a device for making arithmetic calculations, consisting of a frame set with rods on which balls or beads are moved.

  2. Architecture. a slab forming the top of the capital of a column.

Origin of abacus

1
1350–1400; Middle English <Latin: board, counting board, re-formed <Greek ábax

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British Dictionary definitions for abacus

abacus

/ (ˈæbəkəs) /


nounplural -ci (-ˌsaɪ) or -cuses
  1. a counting device that consists of a frame holding rods on which a specific number of beads are free to move. Each rod designates a given denomination, such as units, tens, hundreds, etc, in the decimal system, and each bead represents a digit or a specific number of digits

  2. architect the flat upper part of the capital of a column

Origin of abacus

1
C16: from Latin, from Greek abax board covered with sand for tracing calculations, from Hebrew ābhāq dust

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