calculate English · revision 155
5 Oct 2026, 22:07 by bogdan “Add pronunciation, sense history, timeline, meanings, word family, related words” current version
Changes in this edit
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+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /ˈkælkjʊleɪt/, /ˈkælkjəleɪt/^(Wiktionary)
+
==Etymology==
− First recorded in the 1560s,^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) [[bor|la|calculātus]], past participle of [[la|calculāre|t=to reckon, compute]],^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) from [[la|calculus|t=small stone used in reckoning]],^(AHD)^(OED 1989) diminutive of [[la|calx|t=small stone; limestone]].^(AHD)^(Wiktionary) It replaced Middle English ''calculen'' (mid-14th century), from Old French ''calculer''.^(Etymonline)
+ It is [[bor|la|calculātus]], past participle of [[la|calculāre|t=to reckon, compute]],^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) from [[la|calculus|t=small stone used in reckoning]],^(AHD)^(OED 1989) diminutive of [[la|calx|t=small stone; limestone]].^(AHD)^(Wiktionary) It replaced Middle English ''calculen'' (mid-14th century), from Old French ''calculer''.^(Etymonline)
− The sense “to plan, devise” is attested from the 1650s, and the American sense “to think, guess” from 1830.^(Etymonline) Compare [[calculus]].^(Etymonline)
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ “To ascertain by computation, to estimate by mathematical means” (1560s).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ From the 1590s the verb also meant to determine an event, such as an eclipse or a nativity, beforehand by astrology or mathematics.^(OED 1989) The sense “to plan, devise” dates from the 1650s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and “to design or adapt for a purpose”, now used mainly in the passive, from 1639.^(OED 1989)^(RHWU) The American colloquial senses “to think, suppose” and “to intend” date from 1830.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * mid-14th century – Middle English ''calculen''.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1570 – “to compute, reckon”.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)
+ * 1593 – “to forecast an event by astrology or mathematics”.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1639 – “to design or adapt for a purpose”.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1654 – “to plan with forethought”.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)
+ * 1830 – American “to think, suppose; to intend”.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Verb===
+ # To work out by mathematics; to compute.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+ # To estimate by judgement or experience.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)
+ # To design or intend for a purpose, usually in the passive.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+ # ''(US, informal)'' To suppose; to intend.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[calculable]]
+ * [[calculated]]
+ * [[calculating]]
+ * [[miscalculate]]
+ * [[precalculate]]
+ * [[recalculate]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[calculation]]
+ * [[calculus]]
+ * [[calculator]]
+ * [[incalculable]]
+
+ ==Usage notes==
+ ''Calculate'' often implies complex or abstract reckoning;^(AHD) ''compute'' applies to straightforward though possibly lengthy arithmetic;^(AHD) ''reckon'', ''cipher'', and ''figure'' suggest simple arithmetic.^(AHD)
==References==