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