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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Algorism \Al"go*rism\, Algorithm \Al"go*rithm\, noun [OE. algorism, algrim, augrim, OF. algorisme, F. algorithme (cf. Sp. algoritmo, OSp. alguarismo, LL. algorismus), fr. the Ar. al-Khow[=a]rezm[=i] of Khow[=a]rezm, the modern Khiwa, surname of Abu Ja'far Mohammed ben Mus[=a], author of a work on arithmetic early in the 9th century, which was translated into Latin, such books bearing the name algorismus. The spelling with th is due to a supposed connection with Gr. ? number.]
1. The art of calculating by nine figures and zero; computation with Arabic figures.
2. the Arabic system of numeration.
Syn: decimal system [WordNet 1.5]
3. The art of calculating with any species of notation; as, the algorithms of fractions, proportions, surds, etc.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
algorism
noun
1: the Arabic (or decimal) system of numeration
2: computation with Arabic figures
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |