Cen"sus (?), n. [L. census, fr.
censere. See Censor.]
1. (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.
2. An official registration of the number of
the people, the value of
their estates, and other general statistics of a country.
&fist; 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.
Hear it pronounced