> -----Original Message-----
> Behalf Of Adam Dorritie
> Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 3:07 PM
> 
> I'm sure I used a shortened version of the name-- probably because I
> studied Middle Eastern history and not Arabic:).  The whole may be
> Al-Maqala fi Hisab-al Jabr wa-al- Muqabilah.  In any case, my
> understanding is that's the root of the word Algebra.  Additionally, the
> word algorithm is apparently derived from al-Khwarezmi's name.
> 
> Adam
> 
> On 1/3/06, Johnson, Tracy <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>>The "wa" is an "and".  Therefore if I presume the word-order is the 
>>same, then Al-Muqabilah should be "the balancing," not Jabr.
>>
>>The tri-consonant root should be QLB (qaliba.)
>>
>>But I'll have to wait until I get home to pull out my Hans-Weir again.

I finaly remembered to look it up tonight and found the root QBL means 
to accept, receive or approve.  The derivative Muqabilah can mean: 
reception, meeting, encounter, comparison, collation.  Add their word 
for "that" and you get: "in return for exchange" or "compensation for that."

I imagine "balance" would not be out of the realm of possiblities.

The second form of the conjugation (QBBL) can mean "to kiss" or "stand 
directly opposite."

-- 
BT

Tracy Johnson
Justin Thyme Productions
http://hp3000.empireclassic.com/







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