calculation English · revision 39741

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1393, J. Gower, Confessio Amantis|origins=la calculus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * UK: /ˌkælkjuˈleɪʃn̩/^(Wiktionary)

+ * US: /ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃn̩/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|calculation]],^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002)^(ODE 2010) and also directly [[der|la-lat|calculātiō|t=a reckoning, computation]],^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(Dictionary.com 2016)^(Klein 1966) a noun of action from [[m|la|calculō|t=to reckon, compute]],^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) from [[m|la|calculus|t=a reckoning; a pebble used in counting]], a diminutive of [[m|la|calx|t=limestone, small stone]].^(Etymonline) The verb is also the source of [[calculate]].^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action or process of reckoning, computation: 1393, in John Gower's ''Confessio Amantis'';^(OED 2026)^(HTOED) Etymonline dates ''calculacioun'' to the late 14th century, in the senses "the art of computing by numbers" and also "the making of a horoscope".^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The concrete sense, the result of a reckoning, is recorded from 1646, in Sir Thomas Browne;^(OED 2026) Johnson (1755) gave both "a practice or manner of reckoning" and "the result of arithmetical operation".^(Johnson 1755) An estimate of probability, a forecast, is recorded from 1848, in Bulwer-Lytton.^(OED 2026) The sense of careful, often selfish, planning of one's own advantage developed alongside the verb ''calculate''^(SOED 2002)^(Collins 2023) and is recorded by Merriam-Webster as deliberate, prudent planning.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1393 – reckoning, computation.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1646 – the result of a reckoning.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1848 – an estimate of probability, a forecast.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act or process of working out an amount or number using [[mathematics]]: ''Her calculation of the tax was correct.''^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # The result of such a process.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # An [[estimate]] of what is likely to happen; a [[forecast]].^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # Careful planning or [[forethought]], especially for one's own advantage: ''There was cold calculation behind his generosity.''^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[calculative]]

+ * [[calculational]]

+ * [[precalculation]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[calculable]]

+ * [[calculate]]

+ * [[calculator]]

+ * [[calculus]]

+ * [[chalk]]

+ * [[calcium]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}