Al"go*rism (#), Al"go*rithm (#), n. [OE. algorism, algrim, augrim, OF. algorisme, F. algorithme (cf. Sp. algoritmo, OSp. alguarismo, LL. algorismus), fr. the Ar. al-Khowarezmi of Khowarezm, the modern Khiwa, surname of Abu Ja'far Mohammed ben Musa, author of a work on arithmetic early in the 9th century, which was translated into Latin, such books bearing the name algorismus. The spelling with th is due to a supposed connection with Gr. number.]
1.
The art of calculating by nine figures and zero.
2.
The art of calculating with any species of notation; as, the algorithms of fractions, proportions, surds, etc.
© Webster 1913.