subtract
[ suhb-trakt ]
/ səbˈtrækt /
verb (used with object)
to withdraw or take away, as a part from a whole.
Mathematics.
to take (one number or quantity) from another; deduct.
verb (used without object)
to take away something or a part, as from a whole.
Origin of subtract
1530–40; < Latin
subtractus (past participle of
subtrahere to draw away from underneath), equivalent to
sub-
sub- +
trac- (past participle stem of
trahere to draw) +
-tus past participle suffix
SYNONYMS FOR subtract
1, 3
Subtract,
deduct express diminution in sum or quantity. To
subtract suggests taking a part from a whole or a smaller from a larger:
to subtract the tax from one's salary. To
deduct is to take away an amount or quantity from an aggregate or total so as to lessen or lower it:
to deduct a discount.
Subtract is both transitive and intransitive, and has general or figurative uses;
deduct is always transitive and usually concrete and practical in application.
OTHER WORDS FROM subtract
sub·tract·er, noun un·sub·tract·ed, adjectiveWords nearby subtract
Example sentences from the Web for subtract
British Dictionary definitions for subtract
subtract
/ (səbˈtrækt) /
verb
to calculate the difference between (two numbers or quantities) by subtraction
to remove (a part of a thing, quantity, etc) from the whole
Derived forms of subtract
subtracter, nounWord Origin for subtract
C16: from Latin
subtractus withdrawn, from
subtrahere to draw away from beneath, from
sub- +
trahere to draw