{ 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-
Khowārezmī of Khowārezm, the modern Khiwa, surname of
Abu Ja'far Mohammed ben Musā, 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.