[a. F. compute-r (16th c. in Littré), ad. L. computā-re to reckon, sum up, f. com- together + putāre to clear up, settle, reckon.]
1. trans. To estimate or determine by arithmetical or mathematical reckoning; to calculate, reckon, count.
1631. Gouge, God’s Arrows, III. § 71. 315. They compute their numbers, as the Græcians do, by letters.
1667. Milton, P. L., VI. 685. Two dayes, as we compute the dayes of Heav’n.
1672. P. Henry, Diary & Lett. (1882), 254. His loss is generally computed to near 400 lb.
1776. Gibbon, Decline & F., I. xvii. 434. Its most ordinary breadth may be computed at about one mile and a half.
1831. Brewster, Optics, vi. 58. The radii of curvature for these lenses, as computed by Mr. Herschel.
1833. H. Coleridge, North. Worthies, Introd. Ess. (1852), 17. To compute the comparative duration of life in different periods.
† b. Of numbers: To make up, count. Obs.–1
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 580. As they move Thir starry dance in numbers that compute Days, months, and years.
† c. To include in reckoning, count in. Obs.–1
1817. C. Grant, in Parl. Deb., 1807. The right hon. gentleman’s mistake arose in this manner:—he had computed the same sum twice.
d. In wider sense: To estimate, ‘reckon,’ take account of, take into consideration.
1647. Crashaw, Poems, 139. Ripe as those rich composures, time computes Blossoms, but our blest taste confesses fruits.
1654. Earl Orrery, Parthenissa (1676), 558. As he computed the business, he apprehended before he could reduce Ecbatan to his Power, either Syllaces recovery, or Zenophon’s increasing Army, would cast him into the same despair which that generous Prince’s performances had involv’d him in already.
1786. Burns, Addr. Unco Guid, viii. What’s done we partly may compute, But know not what’s resisted.
2. With dependent clause or infin. complement.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., IV. xii. Every man is many moneths elder then he computeth.
1666. Pepys, Diary, 15 Sept. He hath computed that the rents of the houses … comes to 600,000l. per annum.
1700. Dryden, Fables, Ceyx & Alcyone, 233. Mean time Alcyone … Computes how many nights he had been gone.
1705. Addison, Italy, Rome (1767), 176. Some have computed it about fourteen or fifteen feet.
1724. Swift, Drapier’s Lett., ii. The souls in this kingdom are computed to be 1,500,000.
1880. Geikie, Phys. Geog., IV. xix. 166. The total area of dry land … has been computed to amount to fifty-two millions of square miles.
3. intr. To make computation; to reckon.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 161. As we compute from our Saviours Nativitie.
1727. Swift, Gulliver, II. iv. 129. And computing by the scale, measured it pretty exactly.
1872. Yeats, Growth Comm., 368. In silver payments … it was common to compute by weight.
† b. To count upon, reckon on, or to do. Obs.
1697. Collier, Ess. Mor. Subj., II. (1709), 61. There must be … no computing upon Favours. Ibid. (1701), trans. Gataker’s Prelim. Disc., 16. If Men would think a little before-hand, and compute upon the Consequences of a Debauch.
1772. Birmingham Counterfeit, I. 253. Travelling all night, we computed to arrive there by sun-rise.
4. To compute (any one) out of (a thing): to do out of by computation.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, ii. Wks. VIII. 219. The calculators compute them out of their senses.
Hence Computed ppl. a., Computing vbl. sb.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., IV. xii. Beside that computing by the medicall month.
1741–3. Wesley, Jrnl., 80. At Horseley upon Tyne, eight (computed) miles from Newcastle.
1849. Mrs. Somerville, Connex. Phys. Sc., xxxvii. 418. How far the computed ellipse agrees with the curve.
