Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “subtraction” come from?

Subtraction comes from Late Latin subtractio, formed from Latin sub meaning "under" and traho meaning "to draw or pull," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₃ewp-.

subtraction (English): The process of subtracting a number from another;...

Definitions

  1. The process of subtracting a number from another;...

Ancestry of “subtraction”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinsubtractiowithdrawing; subtraction
2Latin-tiō—
3Latindissertātiō—
4Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
5Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
6Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
7Latincalceusshoe
8Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
9Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →