English
abacus
Etymology

From Late Middle English abacus, abagus, agabus, from Latin abacus, abax (compare Late Latin abacus), from Ancient Greek ἄβαξ.

The plural form abaci is reinforced from Latin abacī.

Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ˈæbə.kəs/
Noun

abacus

  1. (historical, obsolete) A table or tray scattered with sand which was used for calculating or drawing. [attested from c. 1387]
  2. A device used for performing arithmetical calculations; (rare) a table on which loose counters are placed, or (more commonly) an instrument with beads sliding on rods, or counters in grooves, with one row of beads or counters representing units, the next tens, etc. [from late 17th c.]
    I’ve heard merchants still use an abacus for adding things up in China.
  3. (architecture) The uppermost portion of the capital of a column immediately under the architrave, in some cases a flat oblong or square slab, in others more decorated. [from mid 16th c.]
    • 1851, John Ruskin, “The Capital”, in The Stones of Venice, volume I (The Foundations), London: Smith, Elder, and Co., […], →OCLC ↗, § III, pages 102–103 ↗:
      The stones of the cornice, hitherto called X and Y, receive, now that they form the capital, each a separate name; the sloping stone is called the Bell of the capital, and that laid above it, the Abacus. Abacus means a board or tile: I wish there were an English word for it, but I fear there is no substitution possible, the term having been long fixed, and the reader will find it convenient to familiarise himself with the Latin one.
  4. (Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, historical) A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments for holding bottles, cups, or the like; a kind of buffet, cupboard, or sideboard. [from late 18th c.]
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