Abacus concept

It is possible that the word abacus has arisen from the Greek term "abax" and the Latin "abacus" used to name a table or a table to make accounts, since in the past, stones or seeds that were used as calculation instruments They were attached to rods. Already the Mesopotamian peoples at the dawn of the Ancient Age used the abacuses to count. Its use in Europe was extensive in the Middle Ages and gradually it was set aside until it almost disappeared in the 18th century. Electronic calculators contributed to its eradication in everyday practice. Its use is still common in Asia.

In this way today we call abacus a simple instrument that is used to make accounts, especially used in children who begin to carry out their first mathematical operations . They are also known as accountants. It consists of a square originally made of wood, but which can currently be found in other materials, which serves as a support for ten thin, parallel rods, on which ten balls with holes in their center are placed on each one, which can be moved on the rods and thus be able to do relatively simple calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Napier's abacus was described by its inventor, the Scottish mathematician, John Napier, the first expositor of logarithms, in 1617. His method consisted of reducing multiplication to addition and division to subtraction. There were 9 boxes, each one with its number on the left side, which represents the multiplicands. Another row at the top indicates the multipliers. The rest of the boxes are divided by a diagonal line, where a number is placed at the top, which can be 0, in which case it is not read, and another number at the bottom. If the number at the top of the diagonal line is not zero, integrate the product of the multiplication of the left box and the one at the top.

In Geography , we find the Abaco Islands to the north of the Bahamas, of great tourist importance . There are two largest ones: The Great Abaco and the Little Abaco.

abbey concept

The word abbey originates from late Latin, deriving from "abbatia", and whose meaning refers to the Monastery whose superior is an abbot, a Latin term that in turn was taken from the Aramaic language and designates a spiritual father. The feminine abbess, as an authority, alludes to the spiritual mother of that religious place.

The abbey is made up of a group of at least twelve monks, who decided to retire from mundane and earthly society. The building that houses the community of monks is also called an abbey, as well as the territory that belongs to the abbot plus his patrimony and income from him.

The first abbots were instituted by Saint Benedict in Europe, taking the Syrian model. It was applied as an honorary title, although the title of abbot was later reserved to designate the spiritual head of the religious community, which, as it was under the direction of the abbot, took the name of abbey. Until the Renaissance , the abbeys were differentiated from the priories, these being detachments of the first under their subordination.

As an example of a priory that later became an abbey, we can mention the Belgian abbey of Postel, of the Order of the Premonstratensians, which was an extension of the Floreffe abbey, established in the year 1138, when the monks, by donation, received those new lands. It was built in the Romanesque style, and the character of an abbey was conferred on it in the 17th century. It is dedicated to the cultivation of medicinal plants, and the production of cheese and beer. In some Spanish provinces, such as Galicia and Navarra, the word abbey is used to designate the house of the priest.

abandonment concept

Abandonment refers to the effect and action of abandoning, a word originating from the French word "abbandoner" with the meaning of leaving something or someone unprotected, careless and left to their fate.

Things can be abandoned, with the intention of doing so (otherwise we would have lost them) in which case someone else can appropriate them, if they are movable objects. In real estate, abandonment can also be a reason for acquisition by third parties if they inhabit and take care of it for a certain time with inactivity of the owner, in which case, once the legal deadlines have expired, they may initiate a lawsuit for acquisitive prescription .

Studies, jobs, competitions, courses, etc. are also susceptible to abandonment. This generally causes loss of time, money and frustration . These abandonments can happen due to mistreatment, negative results, lack of encouragement, low self- esteem , etc.

Ideas, political or religious, can also be a reason for abandonment, when the person who owned them changes their mind, defending others or directly ceasing to believe.

They also abandon friends, boyfriends or girlfriends, relatives, moving away from them and breaking the sentimental bond that united them.

There are people who mercilessly abandon their pets, because they are annoying, they go on vacation or they simply got tired of taking care of them. Extremely reprehensible and irresponsible attitude, which leaves these animals in a street situation , with the consequent risks for them and others.

There are also people who are abandoned to their fate, by those who have the duty to care for them, provide them with help or attention, constituting in these cases the crime of abandonment of persons. For example, parents have the obligation to care for their minor children, and if they leave them elsewhere, they remain in the custody of other responsible adults, for example, when they go to school. Both parents or teachers who do not take care of them, creating a dangerous situation for the children, abandon a person. Other cases would be that of a doctor who refuses to attend to a serious patient, there being no other who can assist him; an elderly person in charge of his family or admitted to a nursing home, who is left without care or food, and so on.