abacus

[ˈæbəkəs]

abacus Definition

• 1. a frame with rows of wires or grooves along which beads are slid, used for calculating
• 2. a calculating tool that uses sliding beads to perform arithmetic operations

Using abacus: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "abacus" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The abacus was widely used in ancient China and Rome.

• Example

  She taught her students how to use an abacus to do simple math.

• Example

  The abacus is still used in some parts of the world today.

abacus Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for abacus

• calculator
• counting frame

Phrases with abacus

• on the abacus

  in the process of being calculated or considered

  Example

  We're still on the abacus stage of figuring out the budget.

• throw the abacus at someone

  to blame someone for a mistake or problem

  Example

  I'm not going to throw the abacus at you, but we need to figure out what went wrong.

• count on one's fingers and toes (instead of an abacus)

  to use one's own body to count instead of using a tool

  Example

  When I was a child, I used to count on my fingers and toes instead of using an abacus.

Origins of abacus

from Greek 'abax', meaning 'calculating table'

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Summary: abacus in Brief

An 'abacus' [ˈæbəkəs] is a calculating tool that uses sliding beads to perform arithmetic operations. It consists of a frame with rows of wires or grooves along which beads are slid. The abacus was widely used in ancient China and Rome and is still used in some parts of the world today. Phrases like 'on the abacus' and 'throw the abacus at someone' use 'abacus' metaphorically to denote the process of calculation or blaming someone for a mistake, respectively.