surd

[prettygoodword]

surd - 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.

Comments

[antemadeus.livejournal.com]

omigosh, we were left speechless, voiceless and unheard - artist mommy and guitar daddy produced jock daughter math whiz - her current math homework resembles those cartoon blackboards covered with odd symbols (in the middle of which says "then a miracle happens" - in the translation sense, we sense math has a purpose, but so far it's primarily being used for offspring to feel superior

[janni.livejournal.com]

Now that's a cool one.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Hee! Nice linking.

---L.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Innit tho'.

---L.