|mathə|mad.]ə̇kəl, -at], ]ek- sometimes (ˈ)math|m- adjective
also math·e·mat·ic ]ik, ]ēk
Etymology: mathematical from Latin mathematicus mathematical (from Greek mathēmatikos mathematical, scientific, from mathēmat-, mathēma learning, mathematics — from mathein, manthanein to learn — + -ikos -ic) + English -al; mathematic from Latin mathematicus mathematical; akin to Old High German muntar prompt, awake, Old Norse munda to aim, Gothic mundon to pay attention to, Sanskrit medhā intelligence, wisdom; all from a prehistoric Indo-European combination whose first constituent means “mind” and is akin to Sanskrit manas mind and whose second constituent is akin to the verb represented by Sanskrit dadhāti he puts, places — more at mind , do
1.
a. : of, relating to, or having the nature of mathematics
a mathematical textbook
mathematical problems
b. : derived by or in accordance with mathematics
a mathematical solution to a problem
c. : designed for use in connection with mathematics
slide rules and other mathematical instruments
2.
a. : rigorously exact : perfectly accurate : absolute
hit the mathematical center of the target
had been leveled off with mathematical precision — T.B.Costain
b. : having an exactness or a regularity of proportions that suggests calculation by mathematics
a series of mathematical flower beds
c. : being beyond doubt or questioning : altogether positive : definite
mathematical proof
mathematical certainty
3. : statistically possible but highly improbable : bare , outside
has only a mathematical chance of making the playoffs
• math·e·mat·i·cal·ly -ə̇k(ə)lē, -ēk-, -li\ adverb