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decimal

 - 3 dictionary results

dec⋅i⋅mal

  [des-uh-muhl, des-muhl]
Use decimal in a Sentence
–adjective
1. pertaining to tenths or to the number 10.
2. proceeding by tens: a decimal system.
–noun
3. decimal fraction.
Origin:
1600–10; < ML decimālis of tenths, equiv. to L decim(a) tenth (deriv. of decem ten ) + -ālis -al 1

Related forms:
dec⋅i⋅mal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To decimal
dec·i·mal   (děs'ə-məl)   
n.  

  1. A linear array of digits that represents a real number, every decimal place indicating a multiple of a negative power of 10. For example, the decimal 0.1 = 1/10 , 0.12 = 12/100 , 0.003 = 3/1000 . Also called decimal fraction.

  2. A number written using the base 10.

adj.  

  1. Expressed or expressible as a decimal.

    1. Based on 10.

    2. Numbered or ordered by groups of 10.


[Medieval Latin decimālis, of tenths or tithes, from Latin decima, a tenth part or tithe, from decem, ten; see dek in Indo-European roots.]
dec'i·mal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

decimal 
1608, from M.L. decimalis "of tithes or tenths," from L. decimus "tenth," from decem "ten." Applied to Arabic notation before modern sense of "decimal fractions" emerged.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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