- Abacus
- Abacus Ab"a*cus ([a^]b"[.a]*k[u^]s), n.; E. pl. {Abacuses}; L.
pl. {Abaci} (-s[imac]). [L. abacus, abax, Gr. 'a`bax]
1. A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for
drawing, calculating, etc. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
2. A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens, etc. It is still employed in China. [1913 Webster]
3. (Arch.) (a) The uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave. See {Column}. (b) A tablet, panel, or compartment in ornamented or mosaic work. [1913 Webster]
4. A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like; a kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard. [1913 Webster]
{Abacus harmonicus} (Mus.), an ancient diagram showing the structure and disposition of the keys of an instrument. --Crabb. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
