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Abacus vs Abax - What's the difference?

abacus | abax |

As a noun abacus

is (obsolete) a table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc .

As a proper noun abax is

.

abacus

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (obsolete) A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc. .
  • A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens, etc.
    • I've heard merchants still use an abacus for adding things up in China.
  • (architecture) The uppermost portion of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave.
  • A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like; a kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard.

    • Derived terms

    * abacus harmonicus

    Related terms

    * abacist

    References

    * ----

    abax

    English

    Noun

    (abaxes)
  • an ancient counting board containing grooves in which counters were placed.
    • Basic arithmetic could be done with an abax .
    The abax was a forerunner of the abacus .

    Usage notes

    * The plural form abaxes is currently unattested.