arithmetic

[ noun uh-rith-muh-tik; adjective ar-ith-met-ik ]

noun

1. the method or process of computation with figures: the most elementary branch of mathematics.
2. Also called higher arithmetic,. the theory of numbers; the study of the divisibility of whole numbers, the remainders after division, etc.
3. a book on this subject.

adjective

1. Also arithmetical. of or relating to arithmetic.

arithmetic

/ əˈrɪθmətɪk /

noun

1. the branch of mathematics concerned with numerical calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
2. one or more calculations involving numerical operations
3. knowledge of or skill in using arithmetic

   his arithmetic is good

adjective

1. of, relating to, or using arithmetic

arithmetic

/ ə-rĭth′mĭ-tĭk /

1. The mathematics of integers, rational numbers, real numbers, or complex numbers under the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Derived Forms

• ˌarithˈmetically, adverb
• aˌrithmeˈtician, noun

Other Words From

• ar·ith·met·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·ar·ith·met·ic adjective
• non·ar·ith·met·i·cal adjective
• non·ar·ith·met·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·ar·ith·met·i·cal adjective
• un·ar·ith·met·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of arithmetic¹

1200–50; < Latin arithmētica, feminine singular of arithmēticus < Greek arithmētikḗ ( téchnē ) (art, skill) of numbers, equivalent to arithmé ( ein ) to reckon + -t ( o )- verbal adjective + -ikḗ -ic; replacing Middle English arsmet ( r ) ike < Old French arismetique < Medieval Latin arismētica, with s for Late Greek th

Word History and Origins

Origin of arithmetic¹

C13: from Latin arithmētica, from Greek arithmētikē, from arithmein to count, from arithmos number

Example Sentences

Anything with the Count (Count von Count if you're inclined to be formal) taught numbers and basic arithmetic through songs.

From The Daily Beast

The J-K shooting was simple enough, in that it was a matter of arithmetic logic that one of them was telling the truth.

From The Daily Beast

NEW DELHI, India — Narendra Modi is to be the new prime minister of India, and the arithmetic of his victory is stunning.

From The Daily Beast

Well, a simple arithmetic count of the “top 100” reveals that there were only 75 books!

From The Daily Beast

“The president has promised to change the arithmetic,” says Rothenberg.

From The Daily Beast

It fell into the three more or less isolated subjects of arithmetic, algebra and Euclid.

From Project Gutenberg

Up to this I had always imagined that I disliked everything in the shape of arithmetic.

From Project Gutenberg

The third introduces a man in old Colburn's Arithmetic, driving his sheep or geese to market.

From Project Gutenberg

He heard the arithmetic class reciting and learned that only things of the same denomination can be subtracted from each other.

From Project Gutenberg

Suppose you send her up, Flora—you must want to go and draw or practice, and she may do her arithmetic here, or read to me.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• calculation
• computation