Math. [ad. L. subtrahendus (sc. numerus number), gerundive of subtrahĕre to SUBTRACT.] The quantity or number to be subtracted.
1674. Jeake, Arith. (1696), 18. The number to be substracted … called the Subtrahend.
1714. Cunn, Treat. Fractions, 39. Then substract the Numerator of the Subtrahend from the common Denominator.
1826. in Encycl. Metrop. (1845), I. 428/1. The next digit in the subtrahend is greater than the one corresponding to it in the minuend.
b. transf. A sum of money to be deducted.
1845. Carlyle, Cromwell (1871), I. 98. Subtracting the due subtrahend. Ibid. (1858), Fredk. Gt., IX. x. Here is the Princess’s account; with the subtrahend, twenty-five or seventy-five per cent, not deducted from it.
1911. Edinb. Rev., Jan., 138. Her wages … are liable to a serious subtrahend for the loss … caused by leaving her house … in the hands of another.
