put-, puta-, -pute, -puter, -puting, -putate, -putation, -putative

(Latin: putatus past participle of putare: to think over, consider, reckon, count; to trim, prune, lop, cut, clean, clear, unmixed)

From Latin, puto-, putare: literally; especially of trees, "to lop, to prune" and "to cleanse, to clear"; then (1) "to clear up, to settle"; especially, of accounts; (2) "to reckon, to estimate, to value"; (3) "to consider, to hold, to believe, to think".

Cassell's New Latin Dictinary; Funk & wagnalls Company; New York; 1968.
computation (s) (nouns), computations (pl)
1. The procedures of calculating.
2. Determining something by mathematical or logical methods.
3. Problem solving that involves numbers or quantities.
computational cybernetics (s) (noun) (a plural form used as a singular)
A science that is concerned with the comparative study of automatic control systems: Computational cybernetics includes not only mechanical, but biological (living), social, and economical systems which involve the results of the calculation of communication theories, signal processing, and information technology.
computational fluid dynamics, CFD (noun) (a plural used as a singular)
The application of computer technology to make quantitative analyses and predictions concerning the behavior of fluids: The computational fluid dynamics predicts the behavior of fluids in motion and of the effects of movements around objects by using numerical methods.
compute (verb), computes; computed; computing
1. To calculate an answer or a result; especially, when using a computer.
2. To yield a result; especially, a correct result, from a calculation: Sharon found out that the numbers that were provided just don't compute
computer (s) (noun), computers (pl)
1. A machine that can be programmed to manipulate symbols.
2. A device that performs high-speed mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, and otherwise processes information.
3. Someone who utilizes a programmable electronic machine that has special procedures for accomplishing results: Computers can perform complex and repetitive procedures quickly, precisely, and reliably; as well as, quickly storing and retrieving large amounts of data.

The physical components from which a computer is constructed and which provide electronic circuits and input/output devices are known as "hardware".

Most computers have four types of hardware components: CPU, input, output, and memory.

The CPU, or central processing unit, executes programs known as "software" which direct the computer what to do.

Input and output, I/O, devices allow the computer to communicate with the user and the outside world.

There are several kinds of memory for computers that include fast, expensive, short term memory, known as RAM, to hold intermediate results, and slower, cheaper, long-term memory; such as, magnetic disk and magnetic tape, to hold programs and data between jobs.

Origin of the word computer

The term computer is a word which was formed in English from the verb compute and it has a recorded history going back to 1646, when it was used to mean "a person who computes".

In 1897, the word was first recorded as "a calculating machine", although that particular machine, which was "of the nature of a circular slide rule", did not resemble a modern computer.

Humans were the earliest computers. These "counting persons" were professionals who worked with numbers and were credited with great accuracy. The early computing was manual and involved the use of such counting tools as the abacus and a variety of slide rules.

When adding machines were developed, the man or woman who computed with one of these "rapid" devices, often called the counting machine a computer.

—"What's in a Word?" by Webb Garrison;
Rudledge Hill Press; Nashville, Tennessee; 2000, pages 3-4.
computer science, computer-science (s) (noun); computer sciences, computer-sciences (pl)
A branch of science that promotes knowledge which is concerned with information processes, the structures and procedures that represent these processes, and their implementation in the various information-processing systems of computers.
computer vision syndrome, CVS (s) (noun), computer vision syndromes (pl)
1. A condition related to prolonged computer monitor use; such as, people who are viewing computer screens who tend to blink less and open their eyes more widely, all of which can result in dryness of the eyes, fatigue, burning, difficulty in focusing, headaches, etc.
2. CVS is caused by the decreased blinking reflex of the eyes while working long hours focusing on computer screens.

The normal blinking rate in human eyes is about 16–20 blinks per minute and recent studies have shown that the blinking rate decreases to as low as 6–8 blinks a minute for people who are working on computer screens for long periods and this can lead to an irritating condition called dry eyes.
3. A variety of problems related to prolonged viewing of a computer screen.

Short term effects include dry eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue and excessive tearing.

Long term effects include migraines, cataracts, and visual epilepsy.

Some solutions include keeping reflections and glare to a minimum and to provide a non-fluorescent, uniform light source.

Special lamps are available that maintain the proper light around the monitor and generate light at much higher frequencies than regular light bulbs.

Glasses Can Correct Near and Far, but What About Those Screens in Between?

More people are showing up at eye appointments complaining of headaches, fatigue, blurred vision and neck pain—all symptoms of computer-vision syndrome (CVS), which affects about 90% of the people who have spent three hours or more a day at a computer, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

—Compiled from information located at
"Becoming a Squinter Nation" by Melinda Beck;
The Wall Street Journal; August 17, 2010.
computerese (s) (noun)
Computer workers', or programmers', jargon: "The technical language of those who are involved in computer technology."
computerized tomography (noun), CT, CAT scan (s), computerized tomographies (pl)
1. An x-ray procedure that uses the help of a computer to produce a detailed picture of a cross section of tissue of the body.
2. A computerized axial tomography scan which is an x-ray procedure that combines many x-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views and, if needed, three-dimensional images of the internal organs and structures of the body.

Computerized axial tomography is more commonly known by its abbreviated names, CT scan or CAT scan. A CT scan is used to define normal and abnormal structures in the body and/or to assist in procedures by helping to accurately guide the placement of instruments or treatments.

The procedure was used first in 1972 to study the brain and is a painless and noninvasive procedure that does not require any special preparation. It is considered to be 100 times more sensitive than conventional radiography or X-rays.

As well as being essential for the study of the brain, CT scanning is considered to be invaluable in investigating diseases of any part of the body. It is particularly useful for locating and imaging tumors, and for guiding the operator who is performing a needle biopsy.

—Information in this section is based primarily on information from
The American Medical Association, Home Medical Encyclopedia;
Medical Editor, Charles B. Clayman, MD; The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.;
New York; page 323; 1989.
and
Webster's New World Medical Dictionary, 3rd edition; Wiley Publishing, Inc.;
Hoboken, New Jersey; page 72; 2008.
computerphobe (s) (noun), computerphobes (pl)
Someone who distrusts or is intimidated by computers.
computerphobia (s) (noun), computerphobias (pl)
An intense dislike or exaggerated fear of computers or any association with them: Tom's grandmother, who was quite old and afflicted by computerphobia, distrusted such data processors and always left the room when Tom was busy with his iPhone, iPad, or laptop.
Man has such a fear of computers that he imagines that a computer is chasing him.

A man has such a fear of computers that he imagines that a computer is trying to attack him.

Word Info image © Copyright, 2006.
computerphobic (adjective), more computerphobic, most computerphobic
A reference to someone who is uncomfortable working with a computer: Paul has been a computerphobic person for some days as he strives to learn the technological knowledge which is necessary to get the results that he is striving to achieve.
computist (s) (noun), computists (pl)
1. A keeper of accounts, an accountant.
2. Someone who performs the computations entering into astronomical and other problem.
3. The procedure of calculating and determining something by mathematical or logical methods: "Computists are those who study and practice computing that includes programming, multimedia activities, gaming, and other computer activities."
computistical (adjective)
Pertaining to, or a reference to, a computus.
computus (s) (noun)
1. A computation, a reckoning; an account.
2. The medieval name for a set of tables for practically calculating astronomical occurrences and the movable dates of the calendar: "The calculation of the date of Easter in the Christian calendar is the computus which has been used for this procedure since the early Middle Ages because it was one of the most important computations of the age."

Related cutting-word units: cast-; castrat-; -cise, -cide; -ectomy; mutil-; sec-, seg-; temno-; -tomy; trunc-.