napiers-rods

Napier's bones

noun Mathematics.
a form of multiplication table originally marked on sticks of bone or ivory that could be rearranged to carry out the operations of multiplication or division.
Also called Napier's rods.

Origin:
1650–60; after their developer, J. Napier

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
Napier's bones
 
—pl n
a set of graduated rods formerly used for multiplication and division
 
[C17: based on a method invented by John Napier]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Napiers-rods is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
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