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abacus
[ ab-uh-kuhs, uh-bak-uhs ]
/ ˈæb ə kəs, əˈbæk əs /
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noun, plural ab·a·cus·es, ab·a·ci [ab-uh-sahy, -kahy, uh-bak-ahy]. /ˈæb əˌsaɪ, -ˌkaɪ, əˈbæk aɪ/.
a device for making arithmetic calculations, consisting of a frame set with rods on which balls or beads are moved.
Architecture. a slab forming the top of the capital of a column.
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Origin of abacus
1350–1400; Middle English <Latin: board, counting board, re-formed <Greek ábax
Words nearby abacus
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use abacus in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for abacus
abacus
/ (ˈæbəkəs) /
noun plural -ci (-ˌsaɪ) or -cuses
a counting device that consists of a frame holding rods on which a specific number of beads are free to move. Each rod designates a given denomination, such as units, tens, hundreds, etc, in the decimal system, and each bead represents a digit or a specific number of digits
architect the flat upper part of the capital of a column
Word Origin for abacus
C16: from Latin, from Greek abax board covered with sand for tracing calculations, from Hebrew ābhāq dust
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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