slide rule

American  

noun

1. a device for performing mathematical calculations, consisting essentially of a ruler having a sliding piece moving along it, both marked with graduated, usually logarithmic, scales: now largely replaced by the electronic calculator.

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slide rule British  

noun

1. a mechanical calculating device consisting of two strips, one sliding along a central groove in the other, each strip graduated in two or more logarithmic scales of numbers, trigonometric functions, etc. It employs the same principles as logarithm tables

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Etymology

Origin of slide rule

1655–65 for earlier sense; 1875–80 for current sense

Example Sentences

The Apollo engineers had slide rules and willpower.

From MarketWatch

Walter Shawlee chanced upon a slide rule from high school while looking through a drawer at his home in Kelowna, British Columbia.

From New York Times

The market for slide rules collapsed, and manufacturing of new devices essentially ceased.

From New York Times

With an abacus and a slide rule, earlier helpmeets, you had to know something of the mathematical process.

From Washington Post

Over a four-decade career that began with slide rules and moved into the age of computer modeling, Ms. Norwood became known as a resourceful problem solver who often hit upon simple but effective solutions.

From Washington Post