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Webster 1913 Edition

Calculus

Cal′cu-lus

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Calculi
(#)
.
[L,
calculus
. See
Calculate
, and
Calcule
.]
1.
(Med.)
Any solid concretion, formed in any part of the body, but most frequent in the organs that act as reservoirs, and in the passages connected with them;
as, biliary
calculi
; urinary
calculi
, etc.
2.
(Math.)
A method of computation; any process of reasoning by the use of symbols; any branch of mathematics that may involve calculation.
Barycentric calculus
,
a method of treating geometry by defining a point as the center of gravity of certain other points to which coëfficients or weights are ascribed.
–
Calculus of functions
,
that branch of mathematics which treats of the forms of functions that shall satisfy given conditions.
–
Calculus of operations
,
that branch of mathematical logic that treats of all operations that satisfy given conditions.
–
Calculus of probabilities
,
the science that treats of the computation of the probabilities of events, or the application of numbers to chance.
–
Calculus of variations
,
a branch of mathematics in which the laws of dependence which bind the variable quantities together are themselves subject to change.
–
Differential calculus
,
a method of investigating mathematical questions by using the ratio of certain indefinitely small quantities called differentials. The problems are primarily of this form: to find how the change in some variable quantity alters at each instant the value of a quantity dependent upon it.
–
Exponential calculus
,
that part of algebra which treats of exponents.
–
Imaginary calculus
,
a method of investigating the relations of real or imaginary quantities by the use of the imaginary symbols and quantities of algebra.
–
Integral calculus
,
a method which in the reverse of the differential, the primary object of which is to learn from the known ratio of the indefinitely small changes of two or more magnitudes, the relation of the magnitudes themselves, or, in other words, from having the differential of an algebraic expression to find the expression itself.

Definition 2024

calculus

calculus

English

Noun

calculus ‎(countable and uncountable, plural calculi or calculuses)

  1. (dated, countable) Calculation; computation.
  2. (countable, mathematics) Any formal system in which symbolic expressions are manipulated according to fixed rules.
    lambda calculus
    predicate calculus
  3. (uncountable, often definite, the calculus) Differential calculus and integral calculus considered as a single subject; analysis.
  4. (countable, medicine) A stony concretion that forms in a bodily organ.
    renal calculus ( = kidney stone)
  5. (uncountable, dentistry) Deposits of calcium phosphate salts on teeth.
  6. (countable) A decision-making method, especially one appropriate for a specialised realm.
    • 2008 December 16, “Cameron calls for bankers’ ‘day of reckoning’”, in Financial Times:
      The Tory leader refused to state how many financiers he thought should end up in jail, saying: “There is not some simple calculus."

Synonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

See also

Latin

Etymology

Diminutive from calx ‎(“limestone, game counter”) +‎ -ulus.

Pronunciation

  • (Classical) IPA(key): /ˈkal.ku.lus/, [ˈkaɫ.kʊ.ɫʊs]

Noun

calculus m ‎(genitive calculī); second declension

  1. diminutive of calx
  2. pebble, stone
  3. reckoning, calculating

Inflection

Second declension.

Case Singular Plural
nominative calculus calculī
genitive calculī calculōrum
dative calculō calculīs
accusative calculum calculōs
ablative calculō calculīs
vocative calcule calculī

Derived terms

Related terms

References

Etymology

Latin calculus ‎(“a pebble or stone used for counting”), diminutive of calx ‎(“limestone”) + -ulus.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkælkjʊləs/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈkælkjələs/

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