adjective · rare

surd

surd · more surd · most surd

Involving surds, or irrational numbersInvolving surds, or irrational numbers; not capable of being expressed in rational numbers.

UK/sɜːd/US/sɝd/

Meaning

4 senses

Involving surds, or irrational numbers; not capable of being expressed in rational numbers.
a surd expression or quantity; a surd number
Unvoiced; voiceless
(obsolete)Lacking the sense of hearing; deaf.
(obsolete)Unheard

More definitions

produced without vibration of the vocal cords

Origin

First attested in the mid 16th century from Latin surdus (“deaf, mute”), used in mathemati

First attested in the mid 16th century from Latin surdus (“deaf, mute”), used in mathematics for “irrational,” reflecting ἄλογος (álogos, “irrational, speechless”) as found in Euclid, apparently transmitted via Arabic جِذْر أَصَمّ (jiḏr ʔaṣamm, “deaf root”). The phonetic sense, “voiceless,” emerged in the 18th century. Doublet of surdo.

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