surd

[ surd ]

adjective

1. Phonetics. voiceless ( sonant ).
2. Mathematics. (of a quantity) not capable of being expressed in rational numbers; irrational.

noun

1. Phonetics. a voiceless consonant ( sonant ).
2. Mathematics. a surd quantity.

surd

/ sɜːd /

noun

1. maths an expression containing one or more irrational roots of numbers, such as 2√3 + 3√2 + 6
2. phonetics a voiceless consonant, such as ( t )

adjective

1. of or relating to a surd

Word History and Origins

Origin of surd¹

First recorded in 1545–55, surd is from the Latin word surdus dull-sounding, mute, deaf

Word History and Origins

Origin of surd¹

C16: from Latin surdus muffled

Example Sentences

It offers private, group and corporate surf lessons, as well as an after-school program, surd camps and rentals, according to its website.

From Washington Times

During our conversation he used the words “slippage” and “surd,” the last of which sent me to the dictionary.

From New York Times

Sometimes they grunt or say “Aha” or “Trade you” or “Got you back”; or they exchange new, obscure good-natured insults: “You surd!”

From Literature

The art of calculating with any species of notation; as, the algorithms of fractions, proportions, surds, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Review the method of finding the square root of a binomial surd.

From Project Gutenberg