Arithmeticals

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Relating to or involving the branch of mathematics concerned with the properties and manipulation of numbers, particularly basic operations like addition and subtraction
2. Describing calculations performed by following established rules for operations on numbers
3. Pertaining to numeric processes that form a foundation for mathematical study and practical applications in various fields

Etymology: "Arithmeticals" is simply the plural of "arithmetical," an adjective-turned-noun used in the plural to name the basic numerical operations. The adjective is formed from "arithmetic," which comes from Latin "arithmēticus," itself from Greek "arithmētikos," relating to counting and numbers, with the English suffix "-al" added to make it describe things relating to arithmetic. The root goes back to Greek "arithmos," meaning "number," the same stem found in words such as "logarithm" and "arithmomania." The suffix "-al" is one of the most productive English adjective endings, attaching to nouns from Latin and Greek to mean "pertaining to," so "arithmetical" simply means "pertaining to arithmetic."

Synonyms: calculations, computations