arithmetize

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to treat or reformulate a mathematical system using only the fundamental concepts and operations of arithmetic

   Nineteenth-century mathematicians sought to arithmetize analysis by defining its concepts in numerical terms.

Formed from the stem of arithmetic + -ize, literally 'to make arithmetical.' Arithmetic came through Latin arithmetica from Greek arithmetike, 'the art of counting,' based on arithmos, 'number.' The British spelling is arithmetise.

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