surd

American  

[surd] / sɜrd /

adjective

1. Phonetics. voiceless (sonant ).

2. Mathematics. (of a quantity) not capable of being expressed in rational numbers; irrational.

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noun

1. Phonetics. a voiceless consonant (sonant ).

2. Mathematics. a surd quantity.

surd British  

/ sɜːd /

noun

1. maths an expression containing one or more irrational roots of numbers, such as 2√3 + 3√2 + 6

2. phonetics a voiceless consonant, such as ( t )

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adjective

1. of or relating to a surd

Etymology

Origin of surd

First recorded in 1545–55, surd is from the Latin word surdus dull-sounding, mute, deaf

Example Sentences

It offers private, group and corporate surf lessons, as well as an after-school program, surd camps and rentals, according to its website.

From Washington Times

During our conversation he used the words “slippage” and “surd,” the last of which sent me to the dictionary.

From New York Times

Sometimes they grunt or say “Aha” or “Trade you” or “Got you back”; or they exchange new, obscure good-natured insults: “You surd!”

From Literature

The art of calculating with any species of notation; as, the algorithms of fractions, proportions, surds, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Transformation of radicals Fraction under the radical sign.Reduction to an entire surd.Changing to surds of different order.Reduction to simplest form.

From Project Gutenberg