Etymology : Latin, from censEre
Pronunciation : 'sen(t)-s&s
Function : noun
Date : 1634
1. counting and surveying of the population for official purposes. census\cen"sus\ , n. [l. census, fr. censere. see:
censor.].
2. (bot. antiq.) a numbering of the people, and valuation of their estate, for the purpose of imposing taxes, etc.; -- usually made once in five years.
3. an official registration of the number of the people, the value of their estates, and other general statistics of a country.note: a general census of the united states was first taken in 1790, and one has been taken at the end of every ten years since.census a period count of the population [syn: nosecount] conduct a census; "they censused the deer in the forest"census there are five instances of a census of the jewish people having been taken.
4. in the fourth month after the exodus, when the people were encamped at sinai. the number of men from twenty years old and upward was then 603,550 (ex. 38:26).
5. another census was made just before the entrance into canaan, when the number was found to be 601,730, showing thus a small decrease (num. 26:51).
6. the next census was in the time of david, when the number, exclusive of the tribes of levi and benjamin, was found to be 1,300,000 (2 sam. 24:9; 1 chr. 21:5).
7. solomon made a census of the foreigners in the land, and found 153,600 able-bodied workmen (2 chr. 2:17, 18).
8. after the return from exile the whole congregation of israel was numbered, and found to amount to 42,360 (ezra 2:64). a census was made by the roman government in the time of our lord (luke 2:1). (see:
taxing.).
9. A numbering of the people, and valuation of their estate, for the purpose of imposing taxes, etc.; usually made once in five years.
10. An official registration of the number of the people, the value of their estates, and other general statistics of a country. a period count of the population conduct a census; "They censused the deer in the forest".
11. A census is an official survey of the population of a country that is carried out in order to find out how many people live there and to obtain details of such things as people's ages and jobs. Enumeration of people, houses, firms, or other important items in a country or region at a particular time. The first U.S. population census was taken in 1790 to establish a basis for representation in Congress. Censuses were taken in England, France, and Canada in 1801, 1836, and 1871, respectively. China was the last major country to report a census, in 1953. Census information is obtained by using a fixed questionnaire covering such topics as place of residence, sex, age, marital status, occupation, citizenship, language, ethnicity, religious affiliation, and education. From the responses demographers derive data on population distribution, household and family composition, internal migration, labor-force participation, and other topics. See also demography.