[W/K] :: algorithm

  Algorism \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[imac] 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;
        computation with Arabic figures.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. the Arabic system of numeration.
  
     Syn: decimal system
          [WordNet 1.5]
  
     3. The art of calculating with any species of notation; as,
        the algorithms of fractions, proportions, surds, etc.
        [1913 Webster]

  algorithm \algorithm\ n.
     a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some
     problem; a set of procedures guaranteed to find the solution
     to a problem.
  
     Syn: algorithmic rule, algorithmic program
          [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

  algorithm
       n : a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve
           some problem [syn: algorithmic rule, algorithmic
           program]

  51 Moby Thesaurus words for "algorithm":
     Arabic numerals, MO, Roman numerals, algorism, applied mathematics,
     approach, attack, binary system, course, decimal system,
     duodecimal system, fashion, figures, form, guise,
     hexadecimal system, higher mathematics, line, line of action,
     lines, manner, manner of working, math, mathematic, mathematics,
     means, method, methodology, mode, mode of operation,
     mode of procedure, modus operandi, numbers, octal system, order,
     practice, procedure, proceeding, process, pure mathematics,
     routine, style, system, tack, technique, the drill, the how,
     the way of, tone, way, wise
  
  

  algorithm
       
           A detailed sequence of actions to
          perform to accomplish some task.  Named after an Iranian
          mathematician, Al-Khawarizmi.
       
          Technically, an algorithm must reach a result after a finite
          number of steps, thus ruling out brute force search methods
          for certain problems, though some might claim that brute force
          search was also a valid (generic) algorithm.  The term is also
          used loosely for any sequence of actions (which may or may not
          terminate).
       
          Paul E. Black's Dictionary of Algorithms, Data Structures,
          and Problems (http://www.nist.gov/dads/).
       
          (2002-02-05)