cal·cu·lus   (kāl'kyə-ləs)    n.   pl. cal·cu·li (-lī') or cal·cu·lus·es Pathology An abnormal concretion in the body, usually formed of mineral salts and found in the gallbladder, kidney, or urinary bladder, for example. Dentistry See tartar. Mathematics The branch of mathematics that deals with limits and the differentiation and integration of functions of one or more variables. A method of analysis or calculation using a special symbolic notation. The combined mathematics of differential calculus and integral calculus. A system or method of calculation: "[a] dazzling grasp of the nation's byzantine budget calculus" (David M. Alpern). [Latin, small stone used in reckoning; see calculate.]

Calculus

Cal"cu*lus\, n.; pl. Calculi. [L, calculus. See Calculate, and Calcule.]

1. (Med.) Any solid concretion, formed in any part of the body, but most frequent in the organs that act as reservoirs, and in the passages connected with them; as, biliary calculi; urinary calculi, etc.

2. (Math.) A method of computation; any process of reasoning by the use of symbols; any branch of mathematics that may involve calculation.

Barycentric calculus, a method of treating geometry by defining a point as the center of gravity of certain other points to which co["e]fficients or weights are ascribed.

Calculus of functions, that branch of mathematics which treats of the forms of functions that shall satisfy given conditions.

Calculus of operations, that branch of mathematical logic that treats of all operations that satisfy given conditions.

Calculus of probabilities, the science that treats of the computation of the probabilities of events, or the application of numbers to chance.

Calculus of variations, a branch of mathematics in which the laws of dependence which bind the variable quantities together are themselves subject to change.

Differential calculus, a method of investigating mathematical questions by using the ratio of certain indefinitely small quantities called differentials. The problems are primarily of this form: to find how the change in some variable quantity alters at each instant the value of a quantity dependent upon it.

Exponential calculus, that part of algebra which treats of exponents.

Imaginary calculus, a method of investigating the relations of real or imaginary quantities by the use of the imaginary symbols and quantities of algebra.

Integral calculus, a method which in the reverse of the differential, the primary object of which is to learn from the known ratio of the indefinitely small changes of two or more magnitudes, the relation of the magnitudes themselves, or, in other words, from having the differential of an algebraic expression to find the expression itself.

calculus

The branch of mathematics, usually studied after algebra, that provides a natural method for describing gradual change.

Note: Most modern sciences use calculus.

calculus 

Main Entry: cal·cu·lus
Pronunciation: -l&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural cal·cu·li /-"lI, -"lE/ also -lus·es
1 : a concretion usually of mineral salts around organic material found especially in hollow organs or ducts
2 : aconcretion on teeth : TARTAR

calculus cal·cu·lus (kāl'kyə-ləs)
n. pl. cal·cu·lus·es or cal·cu·li (-lī')

1. An abnormal concretion in the body, usually formed of mineral salts and most commonly found in the gallbladder, kidney, or urinary bladder. Also called stone.
2. Dental tartar.

calculus   (kāl'kyə-ləs)  Pronunciation Key  Plural calculi (kāl'kyə-lī') or calculuses The branch of mathematics that deals with limits and the differentiation and integration of functions of one or more variables. See more at calculus of variations, differential calculus, integral calculus. A solid mass, usually composed of inorganic material, formed in a cavity or tissue of the body. Calculi are most commonly found in the gallbladder, kidney, or urinary bladder. Also called stone.