Dictionary entry

Subtract

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Sub‐tract″ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Subtracted; p. pr. & vb. n.Subtracting.] [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.