Totalizer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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totalizer

[ˈtəʊt(ə)lʌɪzə ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

gambling

A totalizer is a machine used in betting establishments to display the total amount of money wagered on a particular event or race.

Examples of usage

  • The totalizer at the horse racing track showed a record amount of bets placed on the favorite.
  • The totalizer kept track of all the bets made on the boxing match.
Context #2 | Noun

technology

In computing, a totalizer is a device or program that calculates and displays the total sum of a set of values.

Examples of usage

  • The spreadsheet program has a built-in totalizer function for summing up columns of numbers.
  • The cash register has a totalizer feature that shows the total amount of sales for the day.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Technology

  • Modern totalizers can be found in various forms, from electronic counting machines in casinos to software that aggregates data in business environments.
  • With developments in artificial intelligence, totalizers now include features that can predict outcomes based on historical data patterns.
  • Totalizers have made data analysis faster and more accurate, changing how businesses and organizations manage their information.

Cultural Reference

  • In sports, totalizers are crucial during events like elections or competitions where the final scores determine winners.
  • Popular in betting environments, they allow players to see real-time updates on wagers, which adds excitement and engagement.
  • Films and media often depict totalizers as tools for critical decision-making, adding tension and urgency to plots.

Psychology

  • The use of totalizers in various contexts can influence human behavior by providing immediate feedback on decisions, enhancing engagement.
  • Seeing numbers add up can create a sense of satisfaction or motivation, activating reward systems in the brain.
  • In decision-making, having totals presented can simplify complex information, helping individuals to feel more informed.

History

  • The evolution of totalizers parallels the development of counting systems, reflecting society's growing need for quantification in various fields.
  • Historians note that totalizers contributed to more organized record-keeping in events like elections, influencing civic participation.
  • Before electronic devices, totalizers were often mechanical, utilizing gears and levers to manually tally votes and scores.

Origin of 'totalizer'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'totalizer' comes from the word 'total', which means the whole amount, plus the suffix '-izer' indicating an action or function.
  • It first appeared in English towards the end of the 19th century, reflecting advancements in technology and data management.
  • In various contexts, it can refer to different tools, from mechanical devices in betting to software applications in finance.

The term 'totalizer' originated from the word 'totalize,' which means to sum or calculate the total of something. It is commonly used in the context of gambling and technology to represent a mechanism for calculating totals. The concept of a totalizer has been adapted into various industries where the summing of values is essential for decision-making and tracking purposes.


See also: teetotal, teetotaler, totalable, totaling, totalistic, totalitarian, totality, totally.