Calculation
/ˌkæl.kjəˈleɪ.ʃən/noun
The process of computing or determining something by mathematical methods.
Did you know?It comes from Latin calculāre, “to count with pebbles,” from calculus, a small stone used for reckoning—so one of our most modern words began as literal stone-magic bookkeeping.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kʷel-
“to turn, revolve”
Latin
Latin
calx
“limestone, pebble”
Latin
Latin
calculus
“small stone, pebble used for counting”
Latin
Latin
calculāre
“to count by means of pebbles; to reckon”
Old French
Old French
calculacion
“reckoning, computation”
Middle English
English
calculacioun
“reckoning, computation”
Modern English
English
calculation
“the process of computing or determining by arithmetic or logical methods”