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Totalling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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totalling

[ˈtoʊtəlɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

calculating amount

To total is to sum or add up numerical values to arrive at a final figure. It is commonly used in contexts such as mathematics, accounting, or budget management. The process of totalling involves adding individual components together to understand the overall amount or value. It can refer to both positive numbers and the necessity to account for negative values as well.

Synonyms

accounting, adding, calculating, summing.

Examples of usage

  • I was totalling the expenses for the month.
  • She is totalling the scores of each player.
  • The accountant is totalling the client's income.
  • Please start totalling up the receipts.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Mathematics

  • In mathematics, the process of totaling is fundamental in arithmetic and is the basis for more complex operations like calculus.
  • The concept of balancing equations often requires totalling the values on both sides to maintain equality.
  • In finance, knowing how to total budgets helps individuals and organizations manage their expenses effectively.

Education

  • Teaching children to total numbers helps build foundational math skills, important for their overall education.
  • Games that involve adding scores require players to sum points, reinforcing their ability to total quickly.
  • In educational settings, teachers often encourage students to check their work by re-totalling to ensure accuracy.

Finance

  • Accurate totaling is crucial when preparing taxes, ensuring the correct amount is reported.
  • In sales, totalling receipts assists in understanding profit margins and costs.
  • Budgeting tools and personal finance apps often feature total calculators to help users track their spending.

Cultural References

  • In many cultures, the act of totaling is celebrated during festivals when people tally donations for community projects.
  • Rituals around significant events often involve totaling contributions or gifts to symbolize unity and shared success.
  • Popular games and sports frequently feature scoring systems that involve totaling points, fostering teamwork and strategy.

Origin of 'totalling'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Latin term 'totalis', which means 'whole' or 'complete'.
  • In English, 'total' was used in the late 16th century, evolving to its current form as a verb.
  • The common use of 'totalling' as a present participle reflects a process that involves counting or accumulating items.

The word 'total' originates from the Latin term 'totalis', which means 'whole' or 'entire'. It was derived from 'totus', meaning 'all'. The transition of the term into English likely occurred during the late Middle Ages, as the influence of Latin was significant in the development of the English language, particularly among scholarly and business communities. The use of 'total' began to appear in English texts around the 14th century. Over time, the application of the word evolved to not only refer to a complete amount but also to the mathematical process of summation that we reference today. The process of totalling has also become an integral part of various professional fields, such as finance, education, and data analysis, demonstrating the word's adaptability and importance in communication.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,835, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.