æquation

English

Noun

æquation (plural æquations)

1. Obsolete spelling of equation
   • 1707, Isaac Newton, translated by Joseph Raphson, Arithmetica Universalis [Universal Arithmetic]‎^[1]:

     Whereas in Arithmetick Questions are only resolv'd by proceeding from given Quantities to the Quantities sought, Algebra proceeds in a retrograde Order, from the Quantities sought as if they were given, to the Quantities given as if they were sought, to the End that we may some Way or other come to a Conclusion or "Æquation", from which one may bring out the Quantity sought. And after this Way the most difficult problems are resolv'd, the Resolutions whereof would be sought in vain from only common Arithmetick. Yet Arithmetick in all its Operations is so subservient to Algebra, as that they seem both but to make one perfect Science of Computing; and therefore I will explain them both together.

   • 1757, Johann Georg Keyssler, Travels through Germany, Bohemia, Hungary, Switzerland, Italy and Lorrain, Volume IV, second edition, Letter XCII, page 178:

     The principal clocks in this city ſtrike the hours from one to twelve progreſſively from the riſing of the ſun, and begin again after ſun‐ſet, which at firſt puzzles ſtrangers; but by the table of the æquation of time, publiſhed here, this may be reduced to the common method of calculating time.

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /e.kwa.sjɔ̃/

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Noun

æquation f (plural æquations)

1. Obsolete form of équation.
   • 1641, author uncertain, Qvatriesme Gentvrie des Qvestions‎^[2], page 150:

     D’ailleurs, la verité eſt vne æquation des notions qui ſont en noſtre intellect avec les choſes : laquelle æquation eſt vne reflexion qui eſt vne de ſes plus difficiles opérations, & par conſequent ne ſe peut faire par vn yvrongne : lequel au contraire laiſſe aller confuzément toutes ſes conceptions ſans les régler, comme il ſe void en celui qui parle en dormant : lequel ſelon le divers meſlange des eſpeces qui roulent en ſon imagination, exprime les mots qui les ſignifient, ſans en diſcerner la verité ou fauſſeté : voire ſouvent l’vn & l’autre profereront des paroles qui n’auront aucune liaiſon avec leus notions: la langue s’appellant lors à bon droit effrenée, pource qu’ell ſemble à vn cheval échapé, qui n’eſt plus conduit par ſa bride.

     Besides, truth is an equation of the notions which are in our intellect with things: which equation is a reflection which is one of its most difficult operations, and consequently it can be done by a yvrongne: which on the contrary lets go confusedly all his conceptions without regulating them, as he sees himself in the one who speaks while sleeping: which according to the various meslange of the species that roll in his imagination, expresses the words that signify them without even discerning the truth or falsity of it: often the one and the other will utter words that have no connection with their notions: the language is aptly named, because it seems to be a horse escaped, who is no longer driven by his bridle.