calculus

cal·cu·lus

noun

pl. -·li· or -·luses

any abnormal stony mass or deposit formed in the body, as in a kidney or gallbladder or on teeth
Math.
1. any system of calculation using special symbolic notations
2. infinitesimal calculus
any method or system of calculating, reasoning, or evaluating

Origin of calculus

L: see calculate

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"calculus." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Calculus>.

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calculus. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Calculus

calculus

noun

pl. cal·cu·li, or cal·cu·lus·es

Medicine An abnormal concretion in the body, usually formed of mineral salts and found in the gallbladder, kidney, or urinary bladder, for example.
Dentistry See tartar.
Mathematics
a. The branch of mathematics that deals with limits and the differentiation and integration of functions of one or more variables.
b. A method of analysis or calculation using a special symbolic notation.
c. The combined mathematics of differential calculus and integral calculus.
A system or method of calculation: “[a] dazzling grasp of the nation's byzantine budget calculus” ( David M. Alpern )

Origin of calculus

Latin small stone used in reckoning ; see calculate .

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"calculus." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Calculus>.

APA Style

calculus. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Calculus

Plural calculi (kălˌ◌kyə-līˌ◌)

The branch of mathematics that deals with limits and the differentiation and integration of functions of one or more variables.
See more at calculus of variations
A solid mass, usually composed of inorganic material, formed in a cavity or tissue of the body. Calculi are most commonly found in the gallbladder, kidney, or urinary bladder. Also called stone

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MLA Style

"calculus." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Calculus>.

APA Style

calculus. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Calculus

Noun

(countable and uncountable, plural calculi or calculuses)

(dated, countable) calculation, computation
(countable, mathematics) Any formal system in which symbolic expressions are manipulated according to fixed rules.
lambda calculus
predicate calculus
(uncountable, often definite, the calculus) Differential calculus and integral calculus considered as a single subject; analysis.
(countable, medicine) A stony concretion that forms in a bodily organ.
renal calculus (= kidney stone)
(uncountable, dentistry) Deposits of calcium phosphate salts on teeth.
(countable) A decision-making method, especially one appropriate for a specialised realm.

Related terms

Origin

Latin calculus (“a pebble or stone used for counting”), diminutive of calx (“limestone”) + -ulus.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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MLA Style

"calculus." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Calculus>.

APA Style

calculus. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Calculus

calculus - Medical Definition

n.

pl. calculi (-lī′) or calculuses

Medicine An abnormal concretion in the body, usually formed of mineral salts and found in the gallbladder, kidney, or urinary bladder, for example.
Dentistry
See tartar