abacusnoun [ C ]
uk/ˈæb.ə.kəs/us/ˈæb.ə.kəs/abacus noun [ C ] (COUNTING TOOL)
a square or rectangular frame holding an arrangement of small balls on metal rods or wires, used for counting or for doing calculations
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Measuring, weighing, & counting devices
- calculator
- calipers
- detector
- dipstick
- gradation
- hydrograph
- instrument
- light meter
- manometer
- meter
- micrometer
- potometer
- rangefinder
- ruler
- scope
- sensor
- spirit level
- tape measure
- theodolite
- weighbridge
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abacus noun [ C ] (IN BUILDING)
specialized architecture a flat slab (= piece of stone, etc.) at the top of a column
Examples from literature
- This all seems to point to the art of dispensing with the use of the abacus or counting table.