decimaladj.n.
/ˈdɛsᵻml/, U.S. /ˈdɛs(ə)məl/ A. adj.
1.
a. Relating to tenth parts or to the number ten; reckoning or proceeding by powers of ten; esp. resulting from division into ten equal parts.Recorded earliest in decimal arithmetic n. at Compounds.
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the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > ten > [adjective] > counting in tens
decimal1608
denary1848
decadica1856
the world > relative properties > number > ratio or proportion > fraction > [adjective] > decimal
decimal1608
disme1608
1608 S. Stevin (title) Disme: the art of tenths, or decimall arithmetike, teaching how to performe all computations whatsoeuer.
1659 J. Moxon Tutor to Astron. & Geogr. ii. 36 Half the Meridian be above the Horizon, and half under the Horizon: which you may know if you bring any of the Decimal Divisions to the North Side of the Horizon.
1694 E. Halley tr. W. Oughtred Key Math. i. 2 The Decimal way of reckoning is much easier than that sexagenary way..in Astronomical Computations.
1721 E. Stone Descr. Sector & Plain-scale i. 6 On the other side is a Decimal or Diagonal Scale, on which an Inch..is divided into 100 equal parts.
1782 G. Morris in J. Sparks Life G. Morris (1832) I. 273 It is very desirable that money should be increased in decimal ratio.
?1795 Dict. Literary Conversat. 73 The natives of Peru use decimal progression; they count from one to ten.
1886 Ohio Educ. Monthly Mar. 113 One of the decimal divisions of a unit expressed without the denominator by means of the decimal point.
1990 Computer Buyer's Guide & Handbk. 8 vi. 56/2 Measure the width and height of the cropped area of your photo using any base-10 measuring system (picas, millimeters, or decimal inches, for example).
2005 L. Holford-Strevens Hist. Time i. 6 The decree establishing the French revolutionary calendar also envisaged a decimal division of the day into 10 hours, each of 100 minutes, themselves each of 100 seconds.
b. Designating a positional mathematical notation in which a number less than 1 is represented as a sequence of digits successively representing one tenth, one hundredth, one thousandth, and so on, using symbolism that conveys this fact; involving or relating to such a system.The modern way of representing a decimal number is with a point or a comma, the first digit to the right of this representing tenths (e.g. 0.3 is three tenths), the second digit hundredths (as 0.36, three tenths and six hundredths), etc. The point (raised or on the line) is usual in English-speaking countries (as in 7·34, 7.34); a comma is common in continental Europe (7,34). Cf. decimal point n. at Compounds.The invention of decimal fractions is commonly attributed to S. Stevin in Thiende (1585) (in Dutch; cf. quot. 1608 at sense A. 1a), although he used a more complicated way of representing the digits of a decimal number. There was long considerable variation in the notation. C. Rudolff in Exempel Büchlein Rechnung belangend (1530) used a vertical line where a point or comma is now used. The introduction of the point is variously attributed to C. Clavius Astrolabium (1593) and to B. Pitiscus Trigonometria (1595). A comma was used by J. Napier in Rabdologia (1617), though inconsistently. The dot became established in the United Kingdom in the 19th cent.: a raised dot was usual as a decimal separator, a dot on the line indicating a product. The opposite convention obtained in the United States. However, this distinction has largely disappeared in print in both countries. For a full history of the symbolism see F. Cajori Hist. Math. Notations (1928) I. 314ff.Formerly occasionally with ordinal denoting the number of decimal places or specifying a particular decimal place, as decimal seconds, decimal thirds, etc. (see e.g. quots. a1690, 1777).
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the world > relative properties > number > mathematical notation or symbol > [adjective] > of specific scale
nonary1604
decimal1616
binary arithmetic1796
octal1801
sextuple1815
ternary1860
sextal1943
1616 E. Wright in tr. J. Napier Logarithms i. iv. 20/1 Logarithmes..to fall upon decimal numbers..which are easie to bee added or abated to or from any other number.
1660 T. Willsford Scales Commerce & Trade i. 70 To finde Decimal Numbers for any parts of a year, as moneths, weeks.
a1690 S. Jeake Λογιστικηλογία (1696) 222 So −0,003125 divided by −0,125, shall make the Quotient Decimal Thirds.
1723 D. Ayres (title) Arithmetick made easier... Wherein is exhibited, that very useful Science,..in all its Branches, both Vulgar and Decimal.
1777 R. Hamilton Introd. Merchandize I. ix. 111 The column next the decimal point is sometimes called decimal primes, the next decimal seconds; and so on.
1841 M. Elphinstone Hist. India I. iii. i. 245 The Hindús are distinguished in arithmetic by the acknowledged invention of the decimal notation.
1896 Jrnl. Amer. Geogr. Soc. N.Y. 28 197 The author recognizes the fact that the decimal numeration is not by any means the best.
1916 L. R. Dicksee Machinery as Aid to Accountancy 14 Decimal calculations may be made as accurate as need be, provided one goes to a sufficient number of places of decimals.
2000 Irish Times 20 Mar. 8/7 As for our old school chum, π, the latest is that its decimal expansion is now known to 206,158,430,000 digits!
c. Designating a system of coinage or currency, weights and measures, etc., in which smaller units are related to larger units as powers of ten. Cf. metric adj.2 1.Recorded earliest in decimal coinage n. at Compounds. See also decimal currency n. at Compounds.
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the world > relative properties > measurement > [adjective]
metena1400
metrical1650
mensural1651
decimal1794
metrological1834
mensurational1880
quantificational1939
1794 W. Martin Universal Weight & Meas. Pref. p. vii If a decimal coinage could be obtained, the divisions into different denominations might be adapted thereto.
1815 W. Davies Gen. View Agric. & Domest. Econ. S. Wales II. xvii. 501 It would be no less endless than useless, to enumerate all the varieties of provincial corn-measures: most of them are founded upon decimal measures.
1859 Sat. Rev. 2 July 13/2 The opinion which had been so much quoted in support of the decimal project had been founded almost exclusively on one..aspect of the inquiry.
1916 Valve World June 188/2 Whether we wish it or not, usage seems to be busily engaged in paving the decimal way.
2012 I. Sharp Australia (ed. 8) v. 203 The Australian currency is decimal, featuring some attractive plasticised notes.
d. Having or using a decimal system of currency (see sense A. 1c).
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1855 K. J. W. Paulson Decimalism 31 A collection I made abroad of the coins of decimal countries.
1906 Surveyor & Munic. & County Engineer 19 Oct. 469/2 A table of the money standards of decimal countries.
1968 Buck County (Pa.) Times 22 Apr. 7/4 When we go decimal we will have 100 new pennies to the pound.
2010 A. Pearson I think I love You 40 Before we went decimal, it used to be twelve pennies to the shilling.
2. Of or relating to tithes. Now historical and rare.
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society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > fixed proportion dues or taxes > [adjective] > relating to tithes
predial1461
decimal1641
tithal1884
1641 ‘Smectymnuus’ Vindic. Answer Hvmble Remonstr. x. 106 Can one Bishop..discharge all businesses belonging to testamentary and decimall causes and suites?
a1662 P. Heylyn Aerius Redivivus (1670) 469 The jurisdiction of Ecclesiastical Courts in causes testamentary, decimal, and matrimonial.
1709 C. Place Adversaria 97 If the Decimal Mode and portion of Tithes be Jure Divino.
1806 F. Plowden Princ. & Law Tithing iii. iii. 411 Relief in decimal matters is now generally sought and granted in the courts of equity.
1835 W. Dansey Horae Decanicae Rurales II. 67 The decimal payment being still withheld, the law took its course.
1987 A. Sheridan tr. E. La R. Ladurie French Peasantry 1450–1660 18 The percentages of decimal dues remained, in most of the French regions, traditionally fixed at 8 per cent or 9 per cent, sometimes even 10 per cent.
B. n.† 1. A tenth part, esp. a tenth of a unit of length. Obsolete.† 3. figurative. A (small) portion or part of something; a fraction. Obsolete.
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the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > ten > [noun] > a tenth
tenth part (deal, dole)854
tithingc1300
teindc1330
tithelingc1390
tentha1400
tithe?a1475
denary1577
decimal1610
point1616
decima1631
decimate1676
1610 W. Folkingham Feudigraphia ii. iv. 52 Deuide each foote of the Rule and Perch of the Chaine into decimals or Tenths.
1665 R. Hooke Micrographia Pref. sig. Cv The inches..I subdivide into Decimals.
1674 R. Hooke Animadversions Machina Cœlestis 48 They are made so easie and plain, that a man cannot mistake, that is able by his naked eye to distinguish Decimals of an inch.
2.
a. A representation of a number in decimal notation, esp. a number between 0 and 1. Also: a designated decimal place in such a representation.
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the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic > [noun] > kinds of
decimal arithmetic1608
disme1608
decimal1623
vulgar arithmetic1653
logistic1656
figurate arithmetic1666
rhabdology1667
mental arithmetic1766
binary arithmetic1796
the world > relative properties > number > ratio or proportion > fraction > [noun] > decimal
decimal1623
decimal fraction1623
1623 J. Johnson Arithmatick ii. i. 226 (heading) How to expresse the value of any number in Decimals.
1660 T. Willsford Scales Commerce & Trade 83 I find the decimal..·971286.
1706 W. Jones Synopsis Palmariorum Matheseos v. 107 When a Decimal..is to be multiplied by an Unit with Cyphers.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 41 The force of the wind on a square foot, would have been 29 pounds and a decimal.
1858 D. Lardner Hand-bk. Nat. Philos.: Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, & Heat (new ed.) 23 A portion..expressed by the decimal 0·036065.
1908 R. S. Ball Treat. Spherical Astron. i. 12 When..the computation is exact to within two units of the last decimal.
1969 Jrnl. Inst. Navigation 22 417 An error of 1 or 2 in the fifth decimal of the logarithms..can lead to errors of 20 or even 30 miles in longitude.
2006 A. Ash & R. Gross Fearless Symmetry vi. 52 A real number is rational if and only if it is a terminating decimal or a repeating decimal.
b. A decimal system of mathematical notation.
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1945 Trans. Amer. Inst. Electr. Engineers 64 3/2 C is the cost per kilowatt of new installed capacity, and r the yearly rate of fixed charges (in decimal).
1962 Times 3 Jan. 9/6 Conversion from decimal to binary is at best an awkward process.
1991 PC Mag. 12 Feb. 343/2 0FFFFh is 65,535 in decimal and 63h is 99 in decimal.
2013 M. Cozzens & S. J. Miller Math. of Encryption vi. 156 If 10 represents a number in binary, then it's 1 ⋅ 2 + 0, or 2 in decimal.
c. A decimal system of currency.
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1967 Times 23 Feb. 17/3 Conversion from decimal to shillings and pence can also be done by counting and recognition.
1981 Economist 21 Mar. 90/2 In 1792, the United States became the first country deliberately to change to decimal.
2008 Leek (Staffs.) Post & Times (Nexis) 16 July 22 He made it his home as well, at first without the owner's knowledge, all for a rent of two shillings a week (10 pence in decimal).
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the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a small part or proportion
particlea1400
pittancec1400
moiety1594
cantling1674
morceau1755
decimal1758
tithe1852
particule1889
1758 J. Reed Madrigal & Trulletta iv. v. 41 This railer, With breath envenom'd, impiously affirms, Your human figures are but decimals, But tythes of manhood.
1869 R. D. Blackmore Lorna Doone II. xiv. 189 Beholding..faintest decimal of promise.
1892 W. W. Peyton Mem. Jesus I. 1 Fractions of doubts and decimals of guesses.
Compounds
decimal arithmetic n. (originally) arithmetic based on tenth parts or the number 10; (later) arithmetic in which numbers less than 1 are expressed as decimals.
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the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic > [noun] > kinds of
decimal arithmetic1608
disme1608
decimal1623
vulgar arithmetic1653
logistic1656
figurate arithmetic1666
rhabdology1667
mental arithmetic1766
binary arithmetic1796
1608Decimall arithmetike [see sense A. 1a].
1668 J. Glanvill Plus Ultra iii. 23 The Decimal Arithmetick, which avoids the tedious way of computing by Vulgar Fractions in..Sexagenaries in Astronomy.
1821 J. Q. Adams Rep. Weights & Meas. 45 The convenience and the facility of decimal arithmetic for calculation.
2010 T. Sonnabend Math. Teachers (ed. 4) vii. 323 Decimal arithmetic is closely related to both whole-number and fraction arithmetic.
decimal classification n. a classification in which items are assigned a decimal number, each digit representing a particular class or subclass to which an item can be assigned.Chiefly with allusion to one particular classification used for library books (cf. Dewey n.).
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society > communication > book > book list > [noun] > action of listing or cataloguing books > specific systems
decimal classification1876
Dewey1879
Proctor order1931
Uniterm1952
Proctor method1955
1876 M. Dewey et al. in Public Libraries U.S.A.: Special Rep.: Pt. I (Dept. Interior, Bureau Educ.) xxviii. 623 (sub-heading) A decimal classification and subject-index.
1948 S. C. Bradford Documentation iii. 26 In 1883, a decimal classification was introduced in the Bodleian Library.
2011 P. Lévy Semantic Sphere 1 iv. 107 The decimal classification is rational and universal, and independent of institutions, languages and physical establishments.
decimal coinage n. = decimal currency n.
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society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > coins collective > [noun]
mintOE
moneya1325
coin1393
ready money1429
plate?a1439
coinage1467
cunyec1480
cogc1555
table money1565
chinks1577
cash1596
speciesa1618
spetia1620
specie1671
coliander seed1699
coriander-seed1737
shiners1760
jinkc1775
decimal coinage1794
coriander1801
hard currency1816
rowdy1831
Oscar Asche1905
1794Decimal coinage [see sense A. 1c].
1858 A. Trollope Three Clerks I. xi. 243 The much-vexed question of penny versus pound, as touching the new standard for the decimal coinage.
1968 Punch 24 Apr. 589/1 There's a lot to be said for pre-releasing the decimal coinage at the lower end of the scale.
2014 Bristol Post (Nexis) 28 Jan. 4 A penny, a price..which largely remained the norm in municipal toilets until the arrival of decimal coinage in 1971.
decimal currency n. a system of currency in which the principal monetary unit is divided into 100 smaller units (or occasionally 1000; cf. mil n.1 1).
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society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > [noun] > currency systems and policies
decimal currency1824
bimetallism1876
monometallism1878
free silver1889
polymetallism1890
silverism1895
symmetallism1895
trimetallism1897
managed currency1898
single currency1900
compensated dollar1912
commodity dollar1918
soft currency1940
1824 Morning Chron. 17 Feb. 1/2 (heading) Decimal currency.
1924 Bankers' Mag. (N.Y.) May 837/1 After the establishment of decimal currency in Canada it was the business of his uncle's office to get rid of the old currency.
1969 Guardian 4 July 18/6 Minimum charges for telephone calls from coin boxes will be cheaper when decimal currency is fully introduced in 1971.
2007 Times 15 Feb. 70/1 In 1971 Britain adopted decimal currency.
decimal fraction n. a fraction whose denominator is a power of ten (e.g. 5/ 100); (in later use also) such a fraction expressed as a decimal (e.g. 0.05); cf. common fraction n. at common adj. and adv. Compounds 2, vulgar fraction at fraction n. 5a.
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the world > relative properties > number > ratio or proportion > fraction > [noun] > decimal
decimal1623
decimal fraction1623
1623 J. Johnson Arithmatick ii. v. 245 Set your Decimall fractions in primes, seconds, thirds, fourths, &c. beyond the line.
1873 J. Hamblin Smith Arith. (ed. 2) 83 A Vulgar Fraction may be converted into a Decimal Fraction.
2013 Daily Mail (Nexis) 12 June Teenagers will have to use integers, decimal fractions and simple, proper and improper fractions.
decimal part n. the part of a decimal to the right of the decimal point; a quantity of something represented by this.
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1633 W. Forster tr. W. Oughtred Addition Circles Proportion iv. 30 Multiply the same by the whole time of the continuance at the same swiftnesse reckoned in houres and Decimall parts of houres.
1839 J. Cape Course Math. I. 85 Every logarithm is composed of two parts—the integer, which is called the index or characteristic; and the decimal part.
2006 Times Higher Educ. Suppl. (Nexis) 26 May 31 An irrational number cannot be represented by a fraction. These are numbers where the decimal part does not terminate and is not recurring.
decimal place n. (chiefly with preceding cardinal or ordinal number) the relative position of a digit situated to the right of a decimal point; cf. place n.1 16.The position of each digit is enumerated from the decimal point, the one immediately to the right being the first decimal place, the next the second decimal place, and so on.
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1675 I. Newton Let. 27 Aug. in Corr. (1959) I. 351 The third part of the Quotient shall be the root cubical of A: to 11 Decimal places.
a1739 N. Saunderson Elements Algebra (1740) I. Introd. 44 Put as many cyphers after the numerator, as are equal in number, to the number of decimal places whereof you intend your reduced fraction to consist.
1840 D. Lardner Treat. Geom. v. 61 The number expressing the circumference of the circle has been determined to 140 decimal places.
1948 F. J. Murray Theory Math. Machines (ed. 2) i. 3 Another method of indicating the digit which appears in a decimal place in a counter is by means of a multiposition switch.
2008 M. Gerstein Flirting with Disaster viii. 171 Even though his new starting point was different in only the fourth decimal place, the model did not..reproduce the earlier results with only minor changes.
decimal point n. a mark (typically a point, but see note at sense A. 1b) separating the digits of a decimal signifying whole numbers from those signifying tenths, hundredths, etc.
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the world > relative properties > number > ratio or proportion > fraction > [noun] > decimal > point or place
fourth1594
prime1608
separatrix1660
third1660
decimal point1701
station1702
point1704
1701 G. Brown Compend. Syst. Decimal Arithm. iv. 21 All the Number before the Decimal Point is Intigers.
1863 W. A. Browne Arithm. Examples 146 Any decimal is divided by 10 or 100, by moving the decimal point one or two places to the right.
2012 New Yorker 29 Oct. 117/1 Popeye was a spinach-guzzler because a misplaced decimal point overstated the vegetable's iron content.
decimal system n. (a) a system of measurement or currency in which the number of subunits making up the next larger unit is a ten or a power of ten; (b) = decimal classification n.
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the world > relative properties > number > mathematical notation or symbol > [noun]
notation1706
decimal system1786
scientific notation1824
1786 Ann. Agric. 7 324 The English calculators employ as much as they can, the decimal system in their operations.
1856 N. B. Shurtleff Decimal Syst. Arrangem. Admin. Libraries i. 9 The library system must be comprehensive, positive, intelligible and immutable. For this purpose a Decimal system has been devised.
1965 Amer. Archivist 28 199 The decimal systems suggested before Dewey's time, however, involved the numbering of shelves and bookcases rather than the subjects of the books.
1991 F. A. Homann Pract. Geom. 15 The American Congress of Confederation..chose, against a decimal system proposed by Jefferson, field measures based on the English mile.
2011 E.Abdo Power Equipm. Engine Technol. iv. 58/2 It's easier to use because it uses a simple decimal system to determine different base units of measurement.
Derivatives
ˈdecimalism n. (the use of) a decimal system, esp. of coinage, or weights and measures.
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1847 Express 21 May 1/3 Let us consider well before plunging into decimalism. We might, perhaps, make the shilling into tenpence, but the decimal system is radically bad.
1912 Times Lit. Suppl. 11 Apr. 146/1 Our author quotes a most suggestive passage forecasting the whole policy of a sane decimalism.
1996 W. A. Wiegand Irrepressible Reformer v. 113 Dewey vigorously defended..decimalism.
ˈdecimalist n. an advocate of a decimal system, esp. of coinage, or weights and measures.
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1855 Bankers' Mag. Apr. 235 The decimalists have to make twenty per cent. more figures, and consequently perform twenty per cent. more labour to produce the same result.
1887 Sat. Rev. 11 June 831/1 The decimalists..pester the general community with mils..and dimes and half dimes.
1991 C. B. Boyer & U. C. Merzbach Hist. Math. (ed. 2) xxii. 471 Lagrange firmly supported the decimalists against the duodecimalists, for he was not greatly impressed by the argument about divisibility.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.n.1608