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Webster 1913 Edition


Arithmetic

A-rith′me-tic

,
Noun.
[OE.
arsmetike
, OF.
arismetique
, L.
arithmetica
, fr. Gr. [GREEK] (sc. [GREEK]), fr. [GREEK] arithmetical, fr. [GREEK] to number, fr. [GREEK] number, prob. fr. same root as E.
arm
, the idea of counting coming from that of fitting, attaching. See
Arm
. The modern Eng. and French forms are accommodated to the Greek.]
1.
The science of numbers; the art of computation by figures.
2.
A book containing the principles of this science.
Arithmetic of sines
,
trigonometry.
–
Political arithmetic
,
the application of the science of numbers to problems in civil government, political economy, and social science.
–
Universal arithmetic
,
the name given by Sir Isaac Newton to algebra.

Webster 1828 Edition


Arithmetic

ARITH'METIC

,
Noun.
[Gr. to number, the art of numbering, from number; from number, rhythm, order, agreement.]
The science of numbers, or the art of computation. The various operations of arithmetic are performed by addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.