SUBTRACTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does subtraction mean? 

• SUBTRACTION (noun)
  The noun SUBTRACTION has 2 senses:

1. an arithmetic operation in which the difference between two numbers is calculated

2. the act of subtracting (removing a part from the whole)

  Familiarity information: SUBTRACTION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SUBTRACTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An arithmetic operation in which the difference between two numbers is calculated

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

minus; subtraction

Context example:

four minus three equals one

Hypernyms ("subtraction" is a kind of...):

arithmetic operation (a mathematical operation involving numbers)

Derivation:

subtract (make a subtraction)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of subtracting (removing a part from the whole)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

deduction; subtraction

Context example:

he complained about the subtraction of money from their paychecks

Hypernyms ("subtraction" is a kind of...):

decrease; diminution; reduction; step-down (the act of decreasing or reducing something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "subtraction"):

bite (a portion removed from the whole)

withholding (the act of deducting from an employee's salary)

Antonym:

addition (the act of adding one thing to another)

Derivation:

subtract (make a subtraction)

 Context examples 

The resulting cDNA library will be enriched for sequences expressed only in the tester cells. cDNA subtraction can also be done by PCR.

(cDNA Subtraction, NCI Thesaurus/OSP)

The rule may range from a simple operation such as subtraction to a very complex set of derivations.

(Derivation Rule, NCI Thesaurus)

An indication that a medication schedule was modified by subtraction, either by changing the frequency, strength or amount.

(Dose Reduced, NCI Thesaurus)

Chromosomal constitution of cells which deviate from the normal by the addition or subtraction of chromosomes or chromosome pairs.

(Numerical Chromosomal Abnormality, NIH CRISP Thesaurus)

The chromosomal constitution of cells which deviate from the normal by the addition or subtraction of chromosomes or chromosome pairs.

(Aneuploidy, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

This subtraction technique allows extraction of a high-intensity signal from the superimposed background information.

(Digital Subtraction Angiography, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

He saw, as if visible in the air before him, in illuminated figures, the whole sum, and the subtraction that followed and that gave a remainder of $43.90.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The cognitive portion of the test consisted of several math subtraction activities and visually identifying specific numbers and sequences on a computer screen.

(Mental, Not Physical, Fatigue Affects Seniors' Walking Ability, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Acquisition or display of radiographic images using digital techniques; includes digital video fluoroscopy, scan-projection radiography (SPR), digital subtraction and angiography (DSA), digital intravenous angiography (DIVA), and computed tomography.

(Digital X-Ray, NCI Thesaurus)