Suppose I want to discuss an algorithm in Latin: that is, a series of steps to calculate a result from an input, usually involving mathematical formulae.
How would I say this? The English word came from Arabic through Late Latin, but was its Late Latin meaning at all similar to how it's used now? And even if the Romans didn't do advanced mathematics, they certainly must have had algorithms to calculate everything from festival days to the size of arches.
I'd propose some form of:
The third form seems most apt, as mathematics can be understood to constitute "tricks to doing things" (not restricted to machination in the pejorative, but as "noun of action from past participle stem of machinari 'contrive skillfully, to design; to scheme, to plot,'--one can plot the course of a celestial body.)
Why the mech- root?
See: Mechanical Problems, Aristotle
Machines can absolutely be regarded as algorithms--think not of the physical machine but of the plans that dictate it's construction and function.
See also: Euclid's Algorithm
Derivation, Latin: Mechanica Sive Motus Scientia Analytice Exposita
“For a long time in the past, a discourse on mechanics involved two possible different meanings, and indeed at that time two sciences were called by that name : on the one hand as an account of the principles, or wholly as an account of the interactions of different materials between each other, [as in simple machines and structures]. Indeed the name mechanics is usually applied to that science which deals with the equilibrium of forces, and comparisons between them, rather than to these circumstance in which the nature of the motion, its generation and changes, can also be explained. Although indeed, in these more recent discussions too on the general principles, forces especially are to be considered, since it is from these that motion can be both generated and changed ; yet there is much disagreement in the early science, on account of their derivations. Therefore it is best to avoid all the ambiguity that arises from the comparison and equilibrium of forces, which is to be called Statics here, and truly the name Mechanics alone remains for that science of motion, and for which it is understood that these names are always to be applied.”
EULER'S MECHANICA VOL. 1. Preface. (English) (Latin)
Euler predates computers, but, then again, so does minimax, (at least in the pre-ENIAC sense.) See: Computers (pre-20th century), and note their mechanical nature in the physical sense, and; difference engine in the sense of Babbage.
Alternately, you could look to Leibniz and his Nova Methodus pro Maximis et Minimis. Leibniz' work on binary arithmetic is credited to be at the foundation of digital computing.
See:
methodus "a way of teaching, mode of proceeding, method (post-class.)"
μέθοδος "mode of prosecuting [the pursuit of knowledge], method, system"; "the doctrine of motion, Pl.Tht.183c."; "mode of treating the subject-matter"; "stratagem".
Alternatively, you could use:
Medieval Latin algorismus (a mangled transliteration of Arabic al-Khwarizmi "native of Khwarazm";)
Algorithm, Online Etymological Dictionary
See also: Algorism
As important as al-Khwārizmī (محمد بن موسى خوارزمی) is, I would nevertheless go the Euler direction, because algorismus refers to a surname, where mechanica refers to a mathematical concept and the usage predates Caesar.
