subtract Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make a subtraction
    deduct; take off.
    • subtract this amount from my paycheck
  2. verb take off or away
    • this prefix was subtracted when the word was borrowed from French

WordNet

Sub*tract" transitive verb
Etymology
L. subtractus, p.p. of subtrahere to draw from beneath, withdraw, remove; sub under + trahere to draw. See Trace, v. t., and cf. Substract.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Subtracted; present participle & verbal noun Subtracting
Definitions
  1. To withdraw, or take away, as a part from the whole; to deduct; as, subtract 5 from 9, and the remainder is 4.

Webster 1913