Compute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Computed; p. pr. & vb. n. Computing.]
Etymology: [L. computare. See Count, v. t.]
To determine calculation; to reckon; to count. Two days, as we compute the days of heaven. Milton. What's done we partly may compute, But know not what's resisted. Burns.
Syn. -- To calculate; number; count; recken; estimate; enumerate; rate. See Calculate.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Compute, n.
Computation. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for compute; he lists it under calculate.
Where he writes about it:
Compute allows more of the element of probability, which is still more strongly expressed by estimate. — from calculate
We compute the slain in a great war from the number known to have fallen in certain great battles; compute refers to the present or the past, estimate more frequently to the future; as, to estimate the cost of a proposed building. — from calculate