Abacus meaning

 Abacus:

/ab-uh-kuhss/

noun(plural-abacuses)

A frame with rows of wires along which you slide beads, used for counting.

n:

A calculator that performs arithmetic functions by manually sliding counters on rods or in grooves

Origin of the word:

Abacus is a Latin word from a Greek word abax, which meant "counting table."

Facts:

The abacus was invented in China, around 1300 BC. It was popularized during the Ming dynasty (1368 AD to 1644 AD)

Other early forms of the abacus include the ancient Roman abacuses consisting of a sand-covered wax tablet, marked table,, or grooved table.

Invention:

Tim Cranmer

An adapted abacus, invented by Tim Cranmer, called a Cranmer abacus is still commonly used by individuals who are blind. A piece of soft fabric or rubber is placed behind the beads so that they do not move inadvertently.

Aback meaning

 Aback:

/ə'bak/

adverb 

(be taken aback) be shocked or surprised.

Definition:

1. Archaic

situated to the rear or back.

"lot of scrap aback of the garage"

2. Surprise

"was taken aback listening to the news of increasing deaths due to road accidents"

Synonyms:

backwards, rearwards, aft, abaft, astern, behind, back.

Fact:

Can be used only as "Taken aback).

Aardvark meaning

 Aardvark: ard-vark

/'a:dva:k/

noun

A nocturnal badger-size burrowing mammal from Africa, with long ears, a tabular snout, and a long extensible tongue, feeding on ants and termites.

Origin of the word:

The name is originated from South Africa's Afrikaans language which means "earth pig" 

Facts:

• They are the only species of their mammalian order. 
• They are human size.
• They chew with their stomach.