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prettygoodwordsurd - n., (math.) an irrational number (such as √2); (ling.) a voiceless consonant.
Where voiceless means made without using the vocal chords, such as p or s. In that sense, directly from Latin surdus, unheard, silent. In the math sense, also from surdus, but being used as a translation of Arabic (jadhr) asamm, deaf (root), that being in turn a translation of the Greek (used by Euclid) alogos, speechless, without reason.
---L.
Where voiceless means made without using the vocal chords, such as p or s. In that sense, directly from Latin surdus, unheard, silent. In the math sense, also from surdus, but being used as a translation of Arabic (jadhr) asamm, deaf (root), that being in turn a translation of the Greek (used by Euclid) alogos, speechless, without reason.
---L.
