subtract, v. t. [L. subtractus, p. p. of subtrahere to draw from beneath, withdraw, remove; sub under + trahere to draw. See Trace, v. t., and cf. Substract.].

To withdraw, or take away, as a part from the whole; to deduct; as, subtract 5 from 9, and the remainder is 4. [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

subtract, v.tr. (often foll. by from) deduct (a part, quantity, or number) from another.

Derivative

subtracter n. (cf. SUBTRACTOR). subtraction n. subtractive adj.

Etymology

L subtrahere subtract- (as SUB-, trahere draw)

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THESAURUS

subtract

abate, abrade, abrupt, abstract, add, algebraize, alienate, bate, calculate, cast, cast off, cast out, cipher, compute, curtail, cut adrift, cut off, cut out, decrease, deduct, delete, depart, depreciate, derogate, detract, detract from, diminish, disarticulate, disconnect, discount, disengage, disjoin, disjoint, disparage, dissociate, disunite, divide, divorce, dope out, drain, draw back, eat away, eject, erode, estimate, estrange, expel, extract, extract roots, figure, figure in, figure out, file away, impair, isolate, knock, leach, leave, lessen, measure, multiply, part, pull away, pull back, pull out, purify, reckon, reduce, refine, remove, retrench, rub away, score, segregate, separate, sequester, set apart, set aside, shorten, shut off, split, stand aloof, stand apart, stand aside, step aside, subduct, take account of, take away, take away from, take from, take off, take out, tally, thin, thin out, throw off, throw out, uncouple, unyoke, wear away, weed, withdraw, work out

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ROGET THESAURUS

subtract

Decrease

VB decrease, diminish, lessen, abridge, shrink, drop off, fall off, tail off, fall away, waste, wear, wane, ebb, decline, descend, subside, melt away, die away, retire into the shade, hide its diminished head, fall to a low ebb, run low, languish, decay, crumble, bate, abate, dequantitate, discount, depreciate, extenuate, lower, weaken, attenuate, fritter away, mitigate, dwarf, throw into the shade, reduce, shorten, subtract.

Subtraction

VB subduct, subtract, deduct, deduce, bate, retrench, remove, withdraw, take from, take away, detract, garble, mutilate, amputate, detruncate, cut off, cut away, cut out, abscind, excise, pare, thin, prune, decimate, abrade, scrape, file, geld, castrate, eliminate, diminish, curtail, deprive of, weaken.

Numeration

VB number, count, tally, tell, call over, run over, take an account of, enumerate, muster, poll, recite, recapitulate, sum, sum up, cast up, tell off, score, cipher, compute, calculate, suppute, add, subtract, multiply, divide, extract roots, algebraize, check, prove, demonstrate, balance, audit, overhaul, take stock, affix numbers to, page, amount to, add up to, come to.

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