| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| calculate |
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| SYLLABICATION: | cal·cu·late |
| PRONUNCIATION: |  k l ky -l t |
| VERB: | Inflected forms: cal·cu·lat·ed, cal·cu·lat·ing, cal·cu·lates
| | TRANSITIVE VERB: | 1. To ascertain by computation; reckon: calculating the area of a circle; calculated their probable time of arrival. 2. To make an estimate of; evaluate: calculating the team's chances of winning. 3. To make for a deliberate purpose; design: a sturdy car that is calculated to last for years; a choice that was calculated to please. 4. also cal'late ( klt, -lt) Chiefly New England a. To suppose: “I cal'late she's a right smart cook” (Dialect Notes). b. To plan, intend, or count on. | | INTRANSITIVE VERB: | 1. To perform a mathematical process; figure: We must measure and calculate to determine how much paint will be needed. 2. To predict consequences. 3. Regional a. To suppose; guess. b. To count, depend, or rely on someone or something: We're calculating on your help. | | ETYMOLOGY: | Late Latin calculre, calcult-, from Latin calculus, small stone used in reckoning, diminutive of calx, calc-, small stone for gaming. See calx. | | OTHER FORMS: | calcu·lative (-lt v, -l-tv) —ADJECTIVE
| | SYNONYMS: | calculate, compute, reckon, cipher, figure These verbs refer to the use of mathematical methods to determine a result. Calculate, the most comprehensive, often implies a relatively high level of abstraction or procedural complexity: The astronomer calculated the planet's position. Compute applies to possibly lengthy arithmetic operations: computing fees according to time spent. Reckon, cipher, and figure suggest the use of simple arithmetic: reckoned the number of hours before her departure; had to be taught to read and to cipher; trying to figure my share of the bill.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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