Hypertext Webster Gateway -- Definition for algebra
Definition for Algebra from database web1913 (web1913)
Algebra \Al"ge*bra\, n. [LL. algebra, fr. Ar. al-jebr reduction of parts
to a whole, or fractions to whole numbers, fr. jabara to bind together,
consolidate; al-jebr w'almuq[=a]balah reduction and comparison (by
equations): cf. F. alg[`e]bre, It. & Sp. algebra.]
1. (Math.) That branch of mathematics which treats of the relations and
properties of quantity by means of letters and other symbols. It is
applicable to those relations that are true of every kind of
magnitude.
2. A treatise on this science.