calculate
verb/ˈkælkjʊleɪt/ · /ˈkælkjəleɪt/
Etymology Borrowed from Latin calculātus, perfect passive participle of calculō (“to reckon, compute, calculate”, originally by means of pebbles) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from calculus (“a pebble”), further from calx (“limestone”, calc- in compounds) + -ulus (forms diminutives).
Mathematics, Sciences To determine the value of something or the solution to something by a mathematical process.
- Calculate the square root of 3 to 10 decimal places.
Mathematics, Sciences To determine values or solutions by a mathematical process; reckon.
- I stumbled along through the young pines and huckleberry bushes. Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path that, I cal’lated, might lead to the road I was hunting for. It twisted and turned, and, the first thing I knew, made a sudden bend around a bunch of bayberry scrub and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn.1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter I, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
To ascertain or predict by mathematical or astrological computations the time, circumstances, or other conditions of; to forecast or compute the character or consequences of.
- to calculate or cast one’s nativity
- A cunning man did calculate my birth.1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
To adjust for purpose; to adapt by forethought or calculation; to fit or prepare by the adaptation of means to an end.
- to calculate a system of laws for the government and protection of a free people
- [Religion] is […] calculated for our benefit.1671, John Tillotson, “Sermon IV. The Advantages of Religion to Particular Persons. Psalm XIX. 11.”, in The Works of the Most Reverend Dr. John Tillotson, Late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: […], London: […] B. Aylmer, […]; [a]nd W. Rogers, […], published 1696, →OCLC:
Board games, Chess, Games To imagine sequences of potential moves and responses without actually moving the pieces.
- Derived terms
- backcalculate, calculant, calculatable, calculated, calculate out, calculating, calculative, calculatory, miscalculate, outcalculate, overcalculate, precalculate, recalculate, retrocalculate, uncalculatable, undercalculate
- Related terms
- calculation, calculus, calculator, incalculable