Arithmography

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A method for representing numerical values through symbolic characters A practice of documenting mathematical calculations using designated symbols A technique for illustrating arithmetic processes with distinct notations
2. A system of expressing numbers by means of specific signs or symbols
3. The practice of depicting numerical quantities and operations through specialized characters

Etymology: Arithmography is a plain compound, built from the combining form "arithmo-", from Greek "arithmos" meaning "number", and the suffix "-graphy", from Greek "graphia", meaning "writing" or "a writing down". Put together, the word names the act or practice of writing with numbers, which is exactly what it sounds like. The formation follows a familiar pattern. English has long borrowed Greek elements to name a technique or field of recording, as in "photography" (writing with light) and "calligraphy" (beautiful writing). Here the first element points to numerals rather than letters, so the word describes writing in numerical symbols rather than in an alphabet.