Abacus
/ˈæb.ə.kəs/noun
A calculating device consisting of a frame with rods or grooves holding movable beads.
Did you know?The Greek word behind abacus referred to a board or tablet, sometimes covered with sand or dust so figures could be drawn and erased.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἄβαξ (ábax)
“A board or tablet, especially one used for drawing or calculating; the related form ἄβακον could mean a board covered with dust or sand.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
abacus
“A calculating board or tablet; later, a frame fitted with counters or beads.”
Late Antiquity
Late Latin
abacus
“A counting board and also a flat architectural slab, especially the top plate of a column capital.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
abacus / abaque
“A counting board or a related architectural slab.”
14th Century
Middle English
abacus
“A counting instrument or board.”
Modern English
English
abacus
“A frame with movable beads used for arithmetic, calculation, or teaching numeracy.”