surd

American  

[surd] / sɜrd /

adjective

1. Phonetics. voiceless (opposed to 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 (opposed to 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

Surd, in truth, seems to capture something essential about Mr. Wiley, his distrust of reductive explanations.

From New York Times • Jan. 28, 2015

We will take them a journey which shall much astonish the venerable Surd.

From Stories by American Authors, Volume 5 by James, Henry

In front of me stood Professor Surd himself, looking down with a not unpleasant smile.

From Stories by American Authors, Volume 5 by James, Henry

Abscissa Surd was as perfectly symmetrical as Giotto's circle, and as pure, withal, as the mathematics her father taught.

From Stories by American Authors, Volume 5 by James, Henry