| Definitions | | abacus |
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noun (pl=abacuses, pl2=abaci) (i, considered pedantic)
- (obsolete) A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc.
- A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens, etc.
- I've heard merchants still use an for adding things up in China.
- (architecture) The uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave.
- (archaic) A tablet, panel, or compartment in ornamented or mosaic work.
- A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like; a kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard.
Etymology: Entered English circa 16th century. (term, abacus, lang=la), (term, abax, lang=la); from Greek (term, sc=polytonic, á, tr='a`bax) (board covered with sand), from (term, sc=Hebr, , tr=ÄvÄq) (dust).
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Full Definition of abacus
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