Computer vs Abacus - What's the difference?
computer | abacus |
(now, rare, chiefly, historical) A person employed to perform computations; one who computes.
* 1927 , J. B. S. Haldane, Possible Worlds and Other Essays , page 173
* 2003 , (Bill Bryson), A Short History of Nearly Everything , BCA, page 116:
by restriction, a male computer, where the female computer is called a computress
A programmable electronic device that performs mathematical calculations and logical operations, especially one that can process, store and retrieve large amounts of data very quickly; now especially, a small one for personal or home use employed for manipulating text or graphics, accessing the Internet, or playing games or media.
(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.
(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.
As nouns the difference between computer and abacus
is that computer is calculator, computer while abacus is (obsolete) a table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc .computer
Noun
(en noun)- Only a few years ago Mr. Powers, an American computer , disproved a hypothesis about prime numbers which had held the field for more than 250 years.
- One Harvard computer , Annie Jump Cannon, used her repetitive acquaintance with the stars to devise a system of stellar classifications so practical that it is still in use today.
Quotations
* (English Citations of "computer")Synonyms
* (programmable device that performs logical operations) automatic data processing machine, processor, 'puter (informal), box (slang), machine, calculator, portable computer, laptop * See alsoHyponyms
* (programmable device that performs logical operations) desktop, laptop * (a person employed to perform computations) computress (f)Antonyms
* (a person employed to perform computations) computress (f) (when "computer" is used to represent the masculine form)Derived terms
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *See also
* chip * data processing * desktop * hardware * laptop * mainframe * microprocessor 1000 English basic words ----abacus
English
Noun
(en-noun)- I've heard merchants still use an abacus for adding things up in China.