slide rule
5
8.5
- noun
- /slaɪd ruːl/
- Archaic
:
regla de cálculo
- I am of the generation that can still operate a slide rule—for what purpose I can only scarcely remember.
- use a slide rule
And I grew up basically in the geekosphere and I even know I may be the last generation of those officially trained on how to use a slide rule.
- And I grew up basically in the geekosphere and I even know I may be the last generation of those officially trained on how to use a slide rule.
Examples
-
Before electronic calculators, engineers relied on a slide rule for complex calculations.
-
I could show you how to read a slide rule.
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I used a slide rule in college.
Academic text (2000) -
I remember when we had things called "slide rules" to do mathematical operations.
Blog text (19) -
Of course, he needed a pencil, paper, a drafting board, and a slide rule.
Academic text (2006) -
Amazing, because back then they did all the engineering with slide rules and drafting instruments—no computers!
Blog text (34) -
Everything was neat and tidy: sharpened pencils, rubber bands, thumbtacks, blank notepads, an ancient slide rule.
Fiction book (2001) -
He demonstrated how to quickly solve equations using the slide rule in his math class.
-
In the past, students often practiced their arithmetic skills with a slide rule instead of a calculator.
Synonyms
1
2.1
A small electronic device you can hold or carry in a pocket to do math
1
5.9
A machine for doing math, often mechanical or early electronic
A tool you use by hand to do quick math by moving marked scales
A very small handheld electronic device for doing simple math
A small electronic device you hold in your hand to do math
How Complex
- Archaic
495
9.5
- Archaic
1
5.9
81
1.3
- Archaic
5
8.5
- Archaic
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun 'slide rule' is compositionally built from 'slide' (to move smoothly) and 'rule' (a straight-edged measuring tool), so a learner can infer it denotes a ruler-like tool that slides for calculation. This is a literal, cross-linguistically common construction (e.g. French 'règle à calcul', Spanish 'regla de cálculo'), making the meaning accessible to a B1 learner who knows the constituents.
Etymology
Slide rule comes from the tool's look and parts: a moving slide that fits inside a long rule, a kind of ruler, so scales with numbers can be lined up to 'calculate' quickly. That's why the name means a hand tool used for fast math before electronic calculators.