Napier's rodsn.
/ˌneɪpɪəz ˈrɒdz/, U.S. /ˌneɪpi(ə)rz ˈrɑdz/ Mathematics.
= Napier's bones n.
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the world > relative properties > number > mathematical instruments > [noun] > arithmetical instrument
mesograph1579
mesolabe1579
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rods1618
Napier's bones1647
Napier's rods1678
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Cuisenaire rod1954
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cruncher1971
1678 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Nepiers Bones or Rods.
1754 New & Compl. Dict. Arts & Sci. III. 2202/1 Neper's Rods or bones, an instrument invented by J. Neper, baron of Merchiston, in Scotland, whereby the multiplication and division of large numbers are much facilitated.
1838 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 128 4 Presents... Instruments, &c. Napier's Rods (a set of). Supposed to have been made and used by the Laird of Merchiston himself.
1870 Manufacturer & Builder Aug. 225/1 Following on the discovery of logarithms, there was the invention of Baron Napier, called Rhabdology, (since known as ‘Napier's rods’).
1960 F. Land Lang. of Math. i. 5 His last work included a description of what are known as Napier's Rods or Napier's Bones.
1998 Oxf. Univ. Gaz. 7 May 1159/1 The more notable acquisitions for the year were..[a] set of Napier's rods, presented by H. Wynter [etc.].
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1678