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actuary

[ ak-choo-er-ee ]
/ ˈæk tʃuˌɛr i /
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noun, plural ac·tu·ar·ies.
Insurance. a person who computes premium rates, dividends, risks, etc., according to probabilities based on statistical records.
(formerly) a registrar or clerk.

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Origin of actuary

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)

OTHER WORDS FROM actuary

ac·tu·ar·i·al [ak-choo-air-ee-uhl], /ˌæk tʃuˈɛər i əl/, ac·tu·ar·i·an, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use actuary in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for actuary

actuary
/ (ˈæktʃʊərɪ) /

noun plural -aries
a person qualified to calculate commercial risks and probabilities involving uncertain future events, esp in such contexts as life assurance

Derived forms of actuary

actuarial (ˌæktʃʊˈɛərɪəl), adjective

Word Origin for actuary

C16: (meaning: registrar): from Latin āctuārius one who keeps accounts, from actum public business, and acta documents, deeds. See act, -ary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for actuary

actuary
[ (ak-chooh-er-ee) ]

A mathematician who uses statistics to calculate insurance premiums.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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