Hist. Also compotus. [late L. computus calculation, etc., f. computāre to COMPUTE. In F. comput, OF. compot, compost: see COMPOST sb.2, COMPOT.]
1. A computation, a reckoning; an account.
1848. Bliss, ed., Wood’s Life, 127, note. In a computus made in 1576 of the contents of the university chest.
1866. E. Peacock, Eng. Ch. Furniture, Introd. 10. The Compotus of the churchwardens of Saint Mary’s, Stamford.
1887. North. Notes & Q., Dec., 140. In the public Record Office are the Compotuses of the Embassy.
2. The mediæval name for a set of tables for practically calculating astronomical occurrences and the movable dates of the calendar; a calendar.
1832. De Quincey, Charlemagne, Wks. 1863, XII. 174. Charlemagne … was familiar with the intricate mathematics and the elaborate computus of Practical Astronomy.
1841. Wright, Pop. Treat. Sc., 21 (tr. Ph. de Taun). The Computus to calculate … the termini and the claves and the annual festivals.
1862. Sat. Rev., 15 March, 310. The martyrology and computus of Herrand of Landsperg.
