English
calculus
Calculus comes from Latin calculus ‘a pebble or stone used as reckoning counters…’, and goes back to calx ‘limestone’.
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEcalx‘limestone’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEcalculus‘a pebble or stone used as reckoning counters in abacus’diminutive of calx
- Englishearliest quotation 2008same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEcalx‘limestone’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEcalculus‘a pebble or stone used as reckoning counters in abacus’diminutive of calx
- Englishearliest quotation 2008same form
Earliest quotation: 2008, Cameron calls for bankers’ ‘day of reckoning’: “The Tory leader refused to state how many financiers…”
Linked words
through Latin calx ‘limestone’
chalk, calcium, quilt, counterpoint, causeway, recalcitrant, calcite, calcareous, caulk, calzone, inculcate, 35 more
Today it means
noun Calculation; computation.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Latin calx / calculus