algorism

noun

al·​go·​rism

ˈal-gə-ˌri-zəm

plural -s

1

a

: the system of Arabic numerals

b

: the art of calculating by means of nine figures and zero : arithmetic

2

: the art of calculating with any species of notation

the algorism of fractions

algorismic

¦al-gə-ˌ¦riz-mik

adjective

Word History

Etymology

Middle English augrim, algorisme, from Old French & Medieval Latin; Old French augorisme, from Medieval Latin algorismus, from Arabic al-khuwārizmi, after abu-Jaʽfar Mohammed ibn-Mūsa al-Khuwārizmi, flourished 825 a.d. Persian mathematician

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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