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arithmetic

arithmetic definition

arith·me·tic (ə rit̸h′mə tik; for adj., ar′it̸h met′ik, er′-)

noun

the science or art of computing by positive real numbers, specif. by adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing
knowledge of or skill in this science her arithmetic is poor

Etymology: ME arsmetrike < OFr arismetrique (infl. in form by L ars metrica, the art of measurement) < L arithmetica < Gr (hē) arithmētikē (technē), (the) counting (art) < arithmētikos, arithmetical < arithmein, to count < arithmos, number

adjective

of, based on, or using arithmetic

also arithmetical ar′·ith·met′i·cal

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