computist
(ˈkɒmpjuːtɪst)
Forms: 4 compotyste, (5 competister), 6–7 compotist(e, 6– computist.
[a. F. compotiste, computiste, med.L. compot-, computista, ‘artis computatoriæ magister’, f. L. computus, F. comput: see computus and -ist.]
1. One skilled in the computus or calendar, or (blending with 3) in chronological reckoning.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. ix. iv. (Tollem. MS.), Compotystes..departeþ þo twelue mones, in sixe euen and sixe odde. 1637–50 Row Hist. Kirk (1842) 281 Golden, (as numerus in the almanack and calendare, by compotists). 1656 Blount Glossogr., Computist, the same with Compotist. 1679 Plot Staffordsh. (1686) 426 The Embolismal years..which according to most of the ancient Computists..were expressly declared to be thus inserted. 1699 Phil. Trans. XXI. 356 Rules, of which only are capable the skilful Computists or Astronomers. 1794 Mrs. Piozzi Synon. I. 341 Chronology must descend to the computist for proofs. 1877 Bp. S. Butcher Eccl. Calendar 117 This anticipation of the Calendar Moon by the actual mean Moon was called by the Computists the προέµπτωσις of the Moon. |
† 2. A keeper of accounts, an accountant. Obs.
| 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. Ep. Ded. (1877) 5 As a straight computist demaundeth interest and gaine of euery one of vs. 1651 Reliq. Wotton. 24 The Earl of Dorset, Lord Treasurer, who was a wise man and a strict Computist. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals i. iii. 75 The Secretary, Clerk, and Computist of the Sacred Colledge. |
3. One who performs the computations entering into astronomical and other problems.
| 1611 Cotgr., Computiste, a computist, a computatist; a reckoner, calculator, or counter. 1734 Berkeley Analyst §33 You may pass for an artist, computist, or analyst, yet you may not be justly esteemed a man of science. 1867 Herschell Fam. Lect. Sc. (1871) 138 Donati's comet, if the computists are right, will return in 2100 years. |