\Al"go*rism\, Algorithm \Al"go*rithm\, n. [OE.
algorism, algrim, augrim, OF. algorisme, F. algorithme (cf.
Sp. algoritmo, OSp. alguarismo, LL. algorismus), fr. the Ar.
al-Khow[=a]rezm[=i] of Khow[=a]rezm, the modern Khiwa,
surname of Abu Ja'far Mohammed ben Mus[=a], author of a work
on arithmetic early in the 9th century, which was translated
into Latin, such books bearing the name algorismus. The
spelling with th is due to a supposed connection with Gr. ?
number.]
1. The art of calculating by nine figures and zero.
2. The art of calculating with any species of notation; as,
   the algorithms of fractions, proportions, surds, etc.