abacus

An abacus (plurals abacuses or abaci), also called a counting frame, is a calculating tool for performing arithmetical processes, often constructed as a wooden frame with beads sliding on wires. The user, called an abacist, slides counters by hand on rods or in grooves. It was in use centuries before the adoption of the written Hindu-Arabic numeral system and is still widely used by merchants and clerks in China, Japan, Africa and elsewhere.
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n. abacus, frame holding bars strung with beads which are used to make mathematical calculations; uppermost part of a column (Architecture)

(n.)
The uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave. See Column.
  

(n.)
A tablet, panel, or compartment in ornamented or mosaic work.
  

(n.)
A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc.
  

(n.)
A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens, etc. It is still employed in China.
  

(n.)
A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like; a kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard.
  

Abacus (Latin) [from Greek abax slab from Hebrew 'abaq dust] Anciently a sand-strewn board or table used for writing, geometrical figures, etc.; a counting-board on which sums were worked with counters on the board or beads in vertical grooves; and also a calculating device consisting of balls strung on wires set in a frame.
In archaeology, abacus is the upper plinth of a capital of a column, supporting the architrave; also, the mystic staff carried by the Grand Master of the Templars.