English word calculator comes from calculate (which in turn ultimately derives the Latin word calculus, referring to a small pebble used on an abacus) combined with an agent class ending -or
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| calculate | English (en) | (intransitive, US, dialect) To plan; to expect; to think.. (intransitive, mathematics) To determine values or solutions by a mathematical process; reckon.. (transitive, mathematics) To determine the value of something or the solution to something by a mathematical process.. To adjust for purpose; to adapt by forethought or calculation; to fit or prepare by the adaptation of means to an end.. [...] |
| -or | English (en) | (electrical science) Appended to the names of members of classes of components, especially those that have an extensive property name of the same root suffixed with -ance. Creates an agent noun, indicating a person who does something. |
| calculator | English (en) | (dated) A person who performs mathematical calculation. (obsolete) A set of mathematical tables.. A mechanical or electronic device that performs mathematical calculations.. A person who calculates (in the sense of scheming). |