Illustration of abacus
- abacus 1
1
: an instrument for performing calculations by sliding counters along rods or in grooves
2
: a slab that forms the uppermost member or division of the capital of a column
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Probably of Babylonian origin, an abacus is a calculating instrument that uses beads that slide along a series of wires or rods set in a frame to represent the decimal places. It is the ancestor of the modern digital calculator. Used by merchants in the Middle Ages throughout Europe and the Arabic world, it was gradually replaced by arithmetic based on Hindu-Arabic numerals. Though rarely used in Europe past the 18th century, it is still used in the Middle East, China, and Japan.
Examples of abacus in a Sentence
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Tallied with a fancy algorithm or an abacus, the revenue disparity is substantial: $16.3 million per year for each Bay Area school, on average.
—
Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2024
The Big Idea: Wearables Get Buzzy Wearable technology dates back to the abacus rings of 17th-century China, early precursors to the modern digital iteration, the calculator watch, released by Pulsar in 1975.
—Josh Condon, Robb Report, 13 June 2024
All activities on the board, including counting flaps and an abacus, are made of pinewood and metal, which combine beautifully into an aesthetically pleasing design.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 8 Mar. 2024
Who could possibly object to the celebration of calligraphy and glassblowing, of dragon boats, abacus calculation, and mariachi?
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024
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Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2024
The Big Idea: Wearables Get Buzzy Wearable technology dates back to the abacus rings of 17th-century China, early precursors to the modern digital iteration, the calculator watch, released by Pulsar in 1975.
—Josh Condon, Robb Report, 13 June 2024
All activities on the board, including counting flaps and an abacus, are made of pinewood and metal, which combine beautifully into an aesthetically pleasing design.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 8 Mar. 2024
Who could possibly object to the celebration of calligraphy and glassblowing, of dragon boats, abacus calculation, and mariachi?
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abacus
Dictionary Entries Near abacus
Cite this Entry
“Abacus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abacus. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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