sb. and a. Math. Obs. [app. etymologizing alteration of SURDESOLID, by reference to SUR- prefix; surd-solid was app. an intermediate form. Cf. F. sursolide, It. soprasolido.]
A. sb. The fifth power of a number or quantity; also, an equation of the fifth degree.
Also extended to higher uneven powers, not being multiples of 2 or 3: see quot. 1700.
1557. Recorde, Whetst., G iij b. .4. multiplications doe yelde a sursolide.
1613. Tapp, Pathw. Knowledge, 295. If the quantity be sursolids and the number 1024, then is the sursolid roote thereof 4.
1672. Gregory, in Rigaud, Corr. Sci. Men (1841), II. 230. One which will serve for all cubic equations, another for all biquadratics, another for all sursolids.
1695. J. Wallis, in Phil. Trans., XIX. 3. If we would Extract the Root of an imperfect Sursolid.
1700. Moxon, Math. Dict. (1701), s.v., 32 is the 5th power of 2, and is called the Sursolid … 128 the 7th power, or the second Sursolid.
1806. Robertson, in Phil. Trans., XCVI. 310. A sursolid, or an equation of five dimensions.
1817. H. T. Colebrooke, Algebra, etc., 140. First the highest power, for example the sursolid; then the next, the biquadrate; after it the cube, &c.
B. adj. Of the fifth degree; that is a fifth power or root; involving the fifth power of a quantity.
Also applied to a problem, etc., involving expressions or magnitudes of higher degree than that called ‘solid’ (cf. quot. 1704 s.v. SOLID: a. 2 c), and to loci of a higher degree than those termed ‘solid’ (see quot. 1726 s.v. SURDESOLID).
1557. Recorde, Whetst., G iv. That roote is a Sursolide roote, that yeldeth a Sursolide nomber.
1672. Gregory, in Rigaud, Corr. Sci. Men (1841), II. 230. A sursolid equation.
1704. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., I. Sursolid-Problem … is that which cannot be resolved, but by Curves of a higher nature than Conick-Sections. Ibid., Place Sursolid, is when the Point is in the Circumference of a Curve of an higher Gender than the Conick Sections. [Cf. PLACE sb. 8 b.]
1706. J. Ward, Introd. Math., I. xi. (1713), 135. To Extract the Sursolid Root.
