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arithmetic

[ noun uh-rith-muh-tik; adjective ar-ith-met-ik ]
/ noun əˈrɪθ mə tɪk; adjective ˌær ɪθˈmɛt ɪk /
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noun
the method or process of computation with figures: the most elementary branch of mathematics.
Also called higher arithmetic, theoretical arithmetic. the theory of numbers; the study of the divisibility of whole numbers, the remainders after division, etc.
a book on this subject.
adjective ar·ith·met·ic [ar-ith-met-ik] /ˌær ɪθˈmɛt ɪk/
Also ar·ith·met·i·cal. of or relating to arithmetic.
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Origin of arithmetic

1200–50; <Latin arithmētica, feminine singular of arithmēticus<Greek arithmētikḗ (téchnē) (art, skill) of numbers, equivalent to arithmé(ein) to reckon + -t(o)- verbal adjective + -ikḗ-ic; replacing Middle English arsmet(r)ike<Old French arismetique<Medieval Latin arismētica, with s for Late Greek th

OTHER WORDS FROM arithmetic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use arithmetic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for arithmetic

arithmetic
/ (əˈrɪθmətɪk) /

noun
the branch of mathematics concerned with numerical calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
one or more calculations involving numerical operations
knowledge of or skill in using arithmetichis arithmetic is good
adjective (ˌærɪθˈmɛtɪk) ˌarith'metical
of, relating to, or using arithmetic

Derived forms of arithmetic

arithmetically, adverbarithmetician, noun

Word Origin for arithmetic

C13: from Latin arithmētica, from Greek arithmētikē, from arithmein to count, from arithmos number
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

Scientific definitions for arithmetic

arithmetic
[ ə-rĭthmĭ-tĭk ]

The mathematics of integers, rational numbers, real numbers, or complex numbers under the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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