WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Sub*trac"tion
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. subtractio a drawing back. See Subtract, and cf. Substraction.]
Definition : 1. The act or operation of subtracting or taking away a part.

2. (Math.)

Defn: The taking of a lesser number or quantity from a greater of the same kind or denomination; an operation for finding the difference between two numbers or quantities.

3. (Law)

Defn: The withdrawing or withholding from a person of some right to which he is entitled by law.

Note: Thus the subtraction of conjugal rights is when either the husband or wife withdraws from the other and lives separate without sufficient reason. The subtraction of a legacy is the withholding or detailing of it from the legatee by the executor. In like manner, the withholding of any service, rent, duty, or custom, is a subtraction, for which the law gives a remedy. Blackstone.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913