arithmetician

English

Etymology

From Middle French arithmeticien; equivalent to arithmetic +‎ -ian.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA^(key): /əˌɹɪθməˈtɪʃ(ə)n/
• Hyphenation: arith‧me‧tic‧ian

Noun

arithmetician (plural arithmeticians)

1. (now rare) One with expertise in arithmetic; a mathematician.
   • c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Tragœdy of Othello, the Moore of Venice.  (First Quarto), London: N O for Thomas Walkley, , published 1622, →OCLC, , page 1:

     [F]or certes, ſayes he, / I haue already choſen my officer, and what was he? / Forſooth, a great Arithmeticion, [...]

   • 1613, Richard Brathwait, The Yong Mans Gleanings‎, page 1:

     I haue read the truest computer of Times, and the best Arithmetician that euer breathed, and he reduceth thy dayes into a short number: The daies of Man are threescore and ten.

   • 1695, [William] Congreve, Love for Love: A Comedy. , London: Jacob Tonson, , →OCLC, Act IV, scene vi, page 59:

     But I'll tell you one thing; it's a Question that would puzzle an Arithmetician, if you ſhould ask him, whether the Bible ſaves more Souls in Weſtminſter-Abby, or damns more in Weſtminſter-Hall: […]

   • 1774, David Garrick, A Christmas Tale‎, Part 2, Scene 1, page 13:

     Bonoro. What said he? / Tycho. That he would say but three words and follow me. I heard him say a hundred, and sing a thousand: Lovers are bad arithmeticians.

   • 1860, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], “Mr Riley Gives His Advice Concerning a School for Tom”, in The Mill on the Floss , volume I, Edinburgh, London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC, book I (Boy and Girl), page 33:

     You talk of figures, now; you have only to say to Stelling, ‘I want my son to be a thorough arithmetician,’ and you may leave the rest to him.

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