algorithm Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem
    algorithmic rule; algorithmic program.

WordNet

Al"go*rism, Al"go*rithm noun (Also<
  • Algorism
  • Algorithm
)
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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