D
Dicread
HomeDictionaryCcalculus

calculus

[C/U] Both
pl: calculi

In a mathematical sense, this term evokes a rigorous system of logic and calculation. It is not just about simple arithmetic but about the dynamic movement of variables and the precision of limits. It is used almost exclusively in academic or technical settings to describe the study of change. In a medical context, the word shifts to describe a physical, stony accumulation. It carries a clinical and sterile connotation, referring to the calcification of organic matter into a hard mass, such as tartar on teeth or kidney stones.

Countable when referring to a specific physical stone or deposit in the body. Uncountable when referring to the mathematical field of study.

Meanings

Noun

A branch of mathematics dealing with rates of change and the accumulation of quantities.

"He is studying integral calculus in college."

Noun

A hard deposit of mineral salts that builds up on teeth or in organs.

"The dentist removed the calculus from the patient's gums."

Last Updated: May 27, 2026Report an Error