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abacus |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Abacus \Ab"a*cus\ ([a^]b"[.a]*k[u^]s), n.; E. pl {Abacuses}; L. pl {Abaci} (-s[imac]). [L. abacus, abax, Gr 'a`bax] 1. A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc [Obs.] 2. A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line tens, etc It is still employed in China. 3. (Arch.) a The uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave. See {Column}. b A tablet, panel, or compartment in ornamented or mosaic work 4. A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like a kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard. {Abacus harmonicus} (Mus.), an ancient diagram showing the structure and disposition of the keys of an instrument. --Crabb. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: abacus n 1: a tablet placed horizontally on top of the capital of a column as an aid in supporting the architrave 2: performs arithmetic functions by manually sliding counters on rods or in grooves
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