actuary

[ ak-choo-er-ee ]

noun

, plural ac·tu·ar·ies.

1. Insurance. a person who computes premium rates, dividends, risks, etc., according to probabilities based on statistical records.
2. (formerly) a registrar or clerk.

actuary

/ ˈæktʃʊərɪ; ˌæktʃʊˈɛərɪəl /

noun

1. a person qualified to calculate commercial risks and probabilities involving uncertain future events, esp in such contexts as life assurance

actuary

1. A mathematician who uses statistics to calculate insurance premiums.

Derived Forms

• actuarial, adjective

Other Words From

• ac·tu·ar·i·al [ak-choo-, air, -ee-, uh, l], ac·tu·ar·i·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of actuary¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin āctuārius “shorthand writer, clerk,” variant (with u of the action noun āctus act ) of āctārius ( āct(a) “deeds, documents” + -ārius -ary )

Word History and Origins

Origin of actuary¹

C16: (meaning: registrar): from Latin āctuārius one who keeps accounts, from actum public business, and acta documents, deeds. See act , -ary

Example Sentences

It only reveals the anxieties of the self-appointed ethnic actuary.

From The Daily Beast

Actuary, akt′ū-ar-i, n. a registrar or clerk: one who makes the calculations connected with an insurance office.

From Project Gutenberg

The assets to be handed over shall be determined by an actuary appointed by the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal.

From Project Gutenberg

Or we may illustrate by the difference between the auditor and an actuary in an insurance company.

From Project Gutenberg

What actuary, he asks contemptuously, can appraise the value of a man's opinions?

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Paine complaining because she was concerned; she is the daughter of an insurance actuary.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• analyst
• auditor
• bookkeeper
• clerk