sliding rule

noun

1. (formerly) a slide rule.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sliding rule¹

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

There should be a firm “No DM Sliding” rule at the BET awards.

From The Guardian

The new “Chase Utley” sliding rule has rattled the cages of fans, players and managers, mostly because they can’t handle the disruption to the way the game has been played for over 125 years, which is understandable.

From The Guardian

On his blog, Pratchett calls for scientists to work “their arcane magic,” the kind of magic he celebrates in “Raising Steam,” where a tinkerer with a “knowing of the sliding rule” produces results “like wizardry, but without the wizards and all their mess.”

From Seattle Times

In 1802 he obtained an appointment as mathematical master at Woolwich through the influence of Charles Hutton, to whose notice he had been brought by a manuscript on the “Use of the Sliding Rule”; and when Hutton resigned in 1807 Gregory succeeded him in the professorship.

From Project Gutenberg

Jared was satisfied, and they entered, sending a small bell hung upon the half door into a very rage of ringing, to summon attendance, although the owner of the establishment was ponderously taking the measure of a customer’s foot, by means of a long slip of paper and a sliding rule, slowly the while making entries upon the said white slip, and afterwards smearing them out and re-writing them.

From Project Gutenberg