calculate

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English

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Papers and calculators are common tools for calculation.

Etymology

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Borrowed from Latin calculātus, perfect passive participle of calculō (I reckon, originally by means of pebbles), from calculus (a pebble). Refer to calculus for origin.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈkælkjʊleɪt/, /ˈkælkjəleɪt/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Hyphenation: cal‧cu‧late

Verb

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calculate (third-person singular simple present calculates, present participle calculating, simple past and past participle calculated)

  1. (transitive, mathematics) To determine the value of something or the solution to something by a mathematical process.
    Calculate the square root of 3 to 10 decimal places.
  2. (intransitive, mathematics) To determine values or solutions by a mathematical process; reckon.
  3. (intransitive, US, dialect) To plan; to expect; to think.
    • 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter I, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y., London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
      I stumbled along through the young pines and huckleberry bushes. Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path that, I cal’lated, might lead to the road I was hunting for. It twisted and turned, and, the first thing I knew, made a sudden bend around a bunch of bayberry scrub and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn.
  4. To ascertain or predict by mathematical or astrological computations the time, circumstances, or other conditions of; to forecast or compute the character or consequences of.
    to calculate or cast one’s nativity
  5. To adjust for purpose; to adapt by forethought or calculation; to fit or prepare by the adaptation of means to an end.
    to calculate a system of laws for the government and protection of a free people
    • 1671, John Tillotson, “Sermon IV. The Advantages of Religion to Particular Persons. Psalm XIX. 11.”, in The Works of the Most Reverend Dr. John Tillotson, Late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: [], 8th edition, London: [] T. Goodwin, B[enjamin] Tooke, and J. Pemberton, []; J. Round [], and J[acob] Tonson] [], published 1720, →OCLC:
      [Religion] is [] calculated for our benefit.
  6. (chess) To imagine sequences of potential moves and responses without actually moving the pieces.

Conjugation

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Synonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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Further reading

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Latin

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Verb

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calculāte

  1. second-person plural present active imperative of calculō
    1. "calculate ye, compute ye"
    2. (figuratively) "consider ye as, esteem ye"

Participle

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calculāte

  1. vocative masculine singular of calculātus

Spanish

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Verb

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calculate

  1. second-person singular voseo imperative of calcular combined with te