decimal

[des-uh-muh l, des-muh l] /ˈdɛs ə məl, ˈdɛs məl/
adjective
1.
pertaining to tenths or to the number 10.
2.
proceeding by tens:
a decimal system.
noun
3.
decimal fraction.
Origin
1600-10; < Medieval Latin decimālis of tenths, equivalent to Latin decim(a) tenth (derivative of decem ten) + -ālis -al1
Related forms
decimally, adverb
Can be confused
decimal, decimate, destroy (see usage note at decimate; see synonym study at destroy)
Examples from the web for decimals
  • If you try to use the formula to calculate its value, you will discover that the decimals keep on appearing.
  • Recognize with some accuracy common fractions and decimals including money.
  • Recognize and name common fractions and decimals including money.
  • Compares and orders decimals through the thousandths place.
  • They are only allowed to represent them as decimals.
  • Students continue to develop their understanding of the relationship between fractions and decimals.
British Dictionary definitions for decimals

decimal

/ˈdɛsɪməl/
noun
1.
Also called decimal fraction. a fraction that has a denominator of a power of ten, the power depending on or deciding the decimal place. It is indicated by a decimal point to the left of the numerator, the denominator being omitted. Zeros are inserted between the point and the numerator, if necessary, to obtain the correct decimal place
2.
any number used in the decimal system
adjective
3.
  1. relating to or using powers of ten
  2. of the base ten
4.
(prenominal) expressed as a decimal
Derived Forms
decimally, adverb
Word Origin
C17: from Medieval Latin decimālis of tithes, from Latin decima a tenth, from decem ten
Word Origin and History for decimals

decimal

adj.

c.1600, from Medeival Latin decimalis "of tithes or tenths," from Latin decimus "tenth," from decem "ten" (see ten). Applied to Arabic notation before modern sense of "decimal fractions" emerged. As a noun from 1640s.

decimals in Science
decimal
  (děs'ə-məl)   

  1. A representation of a real number using the base ten and decimal notation, such as 201.4, 3.89, or 0.0006.

  2. A decimal fraction.


decimals in Culture

decimals definition


Fractional numbers (see fraction) expressed as whole numbers of tenths, hundredths, thousandths, and so on. One-half, for example, is 0.5 in decimal terms.