An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. A step-by-step problem-solving procedure, especially an established, recursive computational procedure for solving a problem in a finite number of steps.
   

2. Historically, the Arabic system of arithmetical notation (with the figures 1, 2, 3, etc.); the art of computation with the Arabic figures, one to nine, plus the zero; arithmetic.

Etymology (EN): From M.L. algorismus, a mangled transliteration of
al-Khwarizmi, “native of Khwarazm,” the surname of the Persian mathematician and astronomer
Abu Ja’far Mohammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi (c780-c850).

Etymology (PE): Xârazmik, from Xârazmi (or Xwârazmi, from Xwârazm), the name of the Persian mathematician, + Persian affix → -ik, → -ics.