Napier's bones

noun

Na·​pi·​er's bones ˈnā-pē-ərz- How to pronounce Napier's bones (audio)
: a set of graduated rods (as of wood or bone) invented by John Napier and used for multiplication and division based on the principles of logarithms

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Napier's bones was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near Napier's bones

Cite this Entry

“Napier's bones.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Napier%27s%20bones. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Napier's bones

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!