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A small interval, less than any in actual practice, but used in the mathematical calculation of intervals.

One of the necessary data or values upon which a system of calculations depends, or general conclusions are based; as, the elements of a planet's orbit.

ting by the mind, without actually measuring, weighing, or the like; rough or approximate calculation; as, an estimate of the cost of a building, or of the quantity of water in a pond. Weigh success in a moral balance, and our whole estimate is changed. J. C. Shairp.

To botch or bungle a business. [Scot.] -- To go through with, to perform, as a calculation, to the end; to complete. -- To go to ground. (a) To escape into a hole; -- said of a hunted fox. (b) To fall in battle. -- To go to naught (Colloq.), to prove abortive, or unavailling. -- To go under. (a) To set; -- said of t…

curate or incorrect; mistake; fault; defect; error; as, in inaccuracy in speech, copying, calculation, etc.

o truth; inexact; incorrect; erroneous; as, in inaccurate man, narration, copy, judgment, calculation, etc. The expression is plainly inaccurate. Bp. Hurd.

Not capable of being calculated; beyond calculation; very great. -- In*cal"cu*la*ble*ness, n. -- In*cal"cu*la*bly, adv.

Not in accordance with the truth; inaccurate; not exact; as, an incorrect statement or calculation.

- Indeterminate coefficients (Math.), coefficients arbitrarily assumed for convenience of calculation, or to facilitate some artifice of analysis. Their values are subsequently determined. -- Indeterminate equation (Math.), an equation in which the unknown quantities admit of an infinite number of values, or sets of v…

ain and assess the plaintiff's damages, where they can not readily be ascertained by mere calculation. Burrill.

want of confidence. With what insecurity of truth we ascribe effects . . . unto arbitrary calculations. Sir T. Browne. A time of insecurity, when interests of all sorts become objects of speculation. Burke.

ers, devised by John Napier, of Merchiston, Scotland (1550-1617), to abridge arithmetical calculations, by the use of addition and subtraction in place of multiplication and division.

c. Logistic, or Proportional, logarithms, certain logarithmic numbers used to shorten the calculation of the fourth term of a proportion of which one of the terms is a given constant quantity, commonly one hour, while the other terms are expressed in minutes and seconds; -- not now used.

To find, as the result of calculation or computation; to ascertain by enumeration; to find the number or amount of, by reckoning, weighing, measurement, and the like; as, he made the distance of; to travel over; as, the ship makes ten knots an hour; he made the distance in one day.

requiring labor; hence, tedious; wearisome. "Operose proceeding." Burke. "A very operose calculation." De Quincey. -- Op"er*ose`ly, adv. -- Op"er*ose`ness, n.

An instrument for obtaining directly, without calculation, the true bearing of the sun, and thence the variation of the compass

made at hazard, or without settled direction, aim, or purpose; hazarded without previous calculation; left to chance; haphazard; as, a random guess. Some random truths he can impart. Wordsworth. So sharp a spur to the lazy, and so strong a bridle to the random. H. Spencer. Random courses (Masonry), courses of unequal…

, and reckoneth with them. Matt. xxv. 19. -- To reckon without one's host, to ignore in a calculation or arrangement the person whose assent is essential; hence, to reckon erroneously.

One who reckons or computes; also, a book of calculation, tables, etc., to assist in reckoning. Reckoners without their host must reckon twice. Camden.

The act of one who reckons, counts, or computes; the result of reckoning or counting; calculation. Specifically: