Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “miscalculation” come from?

Miscalculation comes from Middle English mis- combined with Latin calculus, derived from Latin calx meaning "stone" or "pebble," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ḱel- referring to hard materials.

miscalculation (English): An incorrect or mistaken calculation

Definitions

  1. An incorrect or mistaken calculation

Ancestry of “miscalculation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcalculationThe act or process of calculating; The result of...
2Middle Englishcalculation—
3Latincalculatiocomputation, calculation, reckoning; stone ,...
4Latin-tiō—
5Latindissertātiō—
6Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
7Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
8Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
9Latincalceusshoe
10Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
11Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →