[ 'algərɪδ(ə)m ]
■ noun a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.
Derivatives
~ic adjective
~ically adverb
Origin
C17 (denoting the Arabic or decimal notation of numbers): var. of ME algorism , via OFr. from med. L. algorismus , Arab. al-Ḵwārizmī 'the man of Ḵwārizm' (see algebra ).