CALCULATE


Meaning of CALCULATE in English

ˈkalkyəˌlāt, ˈkau̇k-, usu -ād.+V; chiefly dial ˈkalk(ə)ˌlā- or ˈkau̇k(- or ˈka(l)ˌlā- verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

Etymology: Latin calculatus, past participle of calculare, from calculus pebble, small stone used in reckoning, diminutive of calc-, calx stone used in gaming, limestone, lime — more at chalk

transitive verb

1.

a. : to ascertain or determine by mathematical processes especially of some intricacy

calculate atomic weights

b. : to reckon by exercise of practical judgment rather than by strict mathematical process : estimate

c. : to solve the significance of : probe the meaning of : figure out : interpret

trying to calculate his expression — Hugh MacLennan

2. : to plan the nature of beforehand : think out : frame

3. : to design, prepare, or adapt by forethought or careful plan : fit or prepare by appropriate means — used chiefly as past part. with complementary infinitive

calculated to succeed

4. chiefly North

a. : to judge to be true or probable on the basis of evidence at hand : suppose , believe , think

b. : intend , purpose , plan

intransitive verb

1.

a. : to make a calculation : form an estimate

b. : to make a judgment about the future : forecast consequences

2. : count , rely — used with on or upon

my uncle was calculating on the thing as concluded — Charles Lever

Synonyms:

compute , reckon , estimate : calculate is usually preferred in ref. to more complex, difficult, and lengthy mathematical processes executed with precision and care

calculate the velocity of light

in 1920 it was calculated that in the twenty years … Gulf coast hurricanes caused $105,642,000 damage — A.F.Harlow

compute is often used for simpler mathematical processes, especially arithmetical ones, and with less abstruse and problematical questions

compute interest due

compute time in hours or days

one half the children born, it is computed, die before the age of manhood — Adam Smith

reckon , an informal and familiar term, usually suggests the simplest arithmetical processes

reckon up a small grocery bill

eighteen pence a day may be reckoned the common price of labor in London and its neighborhood — Adam Smith

estimate may suggest the degree of complexity of any of the foregoing, but is likely to be used in situations in which data or figures are incomplete, guessed at, or unverified, and with processes perhaps simplified, to attain usable but tentative and approximate results

experts now estimate the Easter island gaunt stone faces to be less than 800 years old — R.W.Murray

Often it is used in connection with computing in advance, before the acquisition of sure data

estimate next year's rainfall

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.