Nearby Words
noun
1.
the aggregate of two or more numbers, magnitudes, quantities, or particulars as determined by or as if by the mathematical process of addition: The sum of 6 and 8 is 14.
2.
a particular aggregate or total, especially with reference to money: The expenses came to an enormous sum.
3.
an indefinite amount or quantity, especially of money: to lend small sums.
4.
a series of numbers or quantities to be added up.
5.
EXPANDan arithmetical problem to be solved, or such a problem worked out and having the various steps shown.
6.
the full amount, or the whole.
7.
the substance or gist of a matter, comprehensively or broadly viewed or expressed: the sum of his opinions.
8.
concise or brief form: in sum.
9.
Mathematics.
a.
the limit of the sequence of partial sums of a given infinite series.
b.
union (def. 10a).
10.
COLLAPSEa summary.
verb (used with object)
11.
to combine into an aggregate or total (often followed by up).
12.
to ascertain the sum of, as by addition.
13.
to bring into or contain in a small compass (often followed by up).
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Summing
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
verb (used without object)
Verb phrase14.
to amount (usually followed by to or into): Their expenses summed into the thousands.
15.
sum up,
a.
to reckon: We summed up our assets and liabilities.
b.
to bring into or contain in a brief and comprehensive statement; summarize: to sum up the case for the prosecution.
c.
to form a quick estimate of: I summed him up in a minute.
Origin:
1250–1300; (noun) Middle English summe < Latin summa sum, noun use of feminine of summus highest, superlative of superus (see superior); (v.) Middle English summen (< Old French summer) < Medieval Latin summāre, derivative of summa
1250–1300; (noun) Middle English summe < Latin summa sum, noun use of feminine of summus highest, superlative of superus (see superior); (v.) Middle English summen (< Old French summer) < Medieval Latin summāre, derivative of summa
Related forms
sum·less, adjective
sum·less·ness, noun
out·sum, verb (used with object), -summed, -sum·ming.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To summing
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
sum
late 13c., "quantity or amount of money," from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. summe (13c.), from L. summa "total number, whole, essence, gist," noun use of fem. of summus "highest," from PIE *sup-mos-, from base *uper "over" (see super-). The sense development from "highest" to "total
EXPANDnumber" is probably via the Roman custom of adding up a stack of figures from the bottom and writing the sum at the top, rather than at the bottom as we do now (cf. the bottom line). Meaning "total number of anything" is recorded from late 14c. Meaning "essence of a writing or speech" also is attested from late 14c. The verb is attested from c.1300; meaning "briefly state the substance of" (now usually with up) is first recorded 1621. Sum-total is attested from c.1395, from M.L. summa totalis.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
sum  (sŭm) Pronunciation Key
The result of adding numbers or quantities. The sum of 6 and 9, for example, is 15, and the sum of 4x and 5x is 9x. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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