subtraction

[suh b-trak-shuh n] /səbˈtræk ʃən/
noun
1.
an act or instance of subtracting.
2.
Mathematics. the operation or process of finding the difference between two numbers or quantities, denoted by a minus sign (−).
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Late Latin subtractiōn- (stem of subtractiō) a withdrawing, equivalent to subtract(us) (see subtract) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
nonsubtraction, noun
Examples from the web for subtraction
  • None of this star subtraction would be possible without adaptive optics-a means of sharpening telescope images.
  • There are also simple addition and subtraction games.
  • And the circuit for moving eyes left does mental subtraction.
  • She also tested the monkeys' ability to do subtraction by covering a number of objects and then removing some of them.
  • And your falsification by subtraction has hardly been subjected to empirical rigor or indeed falsified all the possible forcing.
  • Some of the fibers deliberately sample blank sky for it subtraction.
  • Barbara made many contributions to my vocabulary, both by addition and by subtraction.
  • But the word mainly referred to mystics and deeply religious people entranced to the point of subtraction from the world.
British Dictionary definitions for subtraction

subtraction

/səbˈtrækʃən/
noun
1.
the act or process of subtracting
2.
a mathematical operation in which the difference between two numbers or quantities is calculated. Usually indicated by the symbol (–)
Word Origin and History for subtraction
n.

c.1400, "withdrawal, removal," from Late Latin subtractionem (nominative subtractio) "a drawing back, taking away," from past participle stem of Latin subtrahere "take away, draw off," from sub "from under" (see sub-) + trahere "to pull, draw" (see tract (n.1)). The mathematical sense is attested from early 15c.

Þou most know þat subtraccion is drawynge of one nowmber oute of anoþer nomber. ["The Crafte of Nombrynge," c.1425]

subtraction in Science
subtraction
  (səb-trāk'shən)   
The operation of finding the difference between two numbers or quantities.