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subtract

 - 2 dictionary results

sub⋅tract

  [suhb-trakt]
Use subtract in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to withdraw or take away, as a part from a whole.
2. Mathematics. to take (one number or quantity) from another; deduct.
–verb (used without object)
3. to take away something or a part, as from a whole.
Origin:
1530–40; < L subtractus (ptp. of subtrahere to draw away from underneath), equiv. to sub- sub- + trac- (ptp. s. of trahere to draw) + -tus ptp. suffix

Related forms:
sub⋅tract⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
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.

Antonyms:
1–3. add.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To subtract
sub·tract   (səb-trākt')   
v.   sub·tract·ed, sub·tract·ing, sub·tracts

v.   tr.
To take away; deduct.
v.   intr.
To perform the arithmetic operation of subtraction.

[Latin subtrahere, subtract- : sub-, sub- + trahere, to draw.]
sub·tract'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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