From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Surd \Surd\, n. (Math.)
1. A quantity which can not be expressed by rational numbers;
thus, [root]2 is a surd.
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2. (Phon.) A surd element of speech. See Surd, a., 4.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Surd \Surd\, a. [L. surdus deaf (whence the meaning, deaf to
reason, irrational), perhaps akin to E. swart. Cf.
Sordine.]
1. Net having the sense of hearing; deaf. [Obs.] "A surd . .
. generation." --Sir T. Browne.
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2. Unheard. [Obs.] --Kenrick.
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3. (Math.) Involving surds; not capable of being expressed in
rational numbers; radical; irrational; as, a surd
expression or quantity; a surd number.
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4. (Phonetics) Uttered, as an element of speech, without
tone, or proper vocal sound; voiceless; unintonated;
nonvocal; atonic; whispered; aspirated; sharp; hard, as f,
p, s, etc.; -- opposed to sonant. See Guide to
Pronunciation, [sect][sect]169, 179, 180.
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