[f. L. calculāt- ppl. stem of calculā-re to count, reckon, f. calculus a stone (see CALCULUS). Cf. It. calcolare, Sp., Pg. calcular, F. calculer. An early form of the pa. pple. was calculat, -ate, ad. L. calculāt-us.]
1. trans. To estimate or determine by arithmetical or mathematical reckoning; to compute, reckon.
1570. Dee, Math. Pref., 42. Hable to Calculate the Planetes places for all tymes.
1656. trans. Hobbes’ Elem. Philos. (1839), 92. When we calculate the magnitude and motions of heaven or earth.
1671. [R. MacWard], True Non-conf., 152. About 165. years, before the Councel; which is the highest period from whence they can be calculat.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Manch. Strike, iii. 35. The men looked at the ground, and calculated how much digging and other work there would be.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., II. § 1. 223. Bradley was able to calculate the velocity of light.
b. absol. To perform calculations, to form an estimate.
1601. Shaks., Jul. C., I. iii. 65. Why Old men, Fooles, and Children calculate.
1613. R. C., Table Alph. (ed. 3), Calculate, cast a count, reckon.
1789. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), III. 35. As yet, no vote has been given which will enable us to calculate, on certain ground.
2. ellipt. To ascertain beforehand the time or circumstances of (an event, e.g., an eclipse, a nativity) by astrology or mathematics.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., IV. i. 34. A cunning man did calculate my birth And told me that by Water I should dye.
1667. Milton, P. L., VIII. 80. When they come to model Heav’n And calculate the Starrs.
1857. De Quincey, China, 10. To calculate a lunar eclipse.
† 3. To reckon in, count, include. Obs.
1643. Sober Sadness, 32. [He] must have been calculated in the Black-bill, if he had not taken himselfe off.
4. To plan or devise with forethought; to think out; to frame. arch.
1654. G. Goddard, in Introd. to Burton’s Diary (1828), I. 30. For the indenture, that was calculated at Court.
1673. Grew, Idea Phytological Hist., 2. That nothing hereof remaineth further to be known, is a thought not well calculated.
1708. Swift, Sentiments Ch. Eng. Man, Wks. 1755, II. I. 68. He doth not think the church of England so narrowly calculated, that it cannot fall in with any regular species of government.
1820. Hoyle’s Games Impr., 171. Each [player] calculates his game without inspecting the tricks.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Character, viii. 140. The English did not calculate the conquest of the Indies. It fell to their character.
5. To arrange, design, prepare, adjust, adapt or fit for a purpose. Const. for, or inf. with to; now only in passive.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, II. iii. (1840), 51. This vision, though calculated for this one bishop, did generally serve for all the nonresidents.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 16. Voyages all calculated for the proving her against the Worm.
1727. Swift, Modest Prop., Wks. 1755, II. II. 66. I calculate my remedy for this … kingdom of Ireland, and for no other.
1732. Berkeley, Sermon to S. P. G., Wks. III. 250. The Christian religion was calculated for the bulk of mankind.
1816. Scott, Antiq., i. The coach was calculated to carry six regular passengers.
1848. Thirlwall, Rem. (1877), I. 137. The college is calculated for the reception of sixty students.
b. In the pa. pple. the notion of design gradually disappears, leaving merely the sense ‘suited’: see CALCULATED below. (Cf. the similar history of apt, fit, adapted, fitted.)
6. intr. To reckon or count upon or on.
1807. Southey, Life (1850), III. 109. All those may almost be calculated upon.
1829. I. Taylor, Enthus., vi. (1867), 114. Security in calculating upon the future.
1873. Tristram, Moab, viii. 150. We had calculated on a quiet Sunday.
7. U.S. colloq. To think, opine, suppose, ‘reckon’; to intend, purpose.
1830. Galt, Lawrie T., II. v. (1849), 56. I calculate, that ain’t nothing to make nobody afeard.
1833. Marryat, Peter S., xliv. [American speaking] ‘Well, captain,’ said he, ‘so you met with a squall?’ ‘I calculate not.’
1837–40. Haliburton, Clockm. (1862), 128. I calculate you couldn’t falt it [our declaration of independence] in no particular.
1841. Knickerbocker Mag., XVII. 40 (Bartlett). Mr. Cram was on the point of requesting those persons who ‘calculated to jine the singin’-school,’ to come forward.
