subtend

[ suhb-tend, suhb- ]

verb (used with object)

1. Geometry. to extend under or be opposite to:

   a chord subtending an arc.

2. Botany. (of a leaf, bract, etc.) to occur beneath or close to.
3. to form or mark the outline or boundary of.

subtend

/ səbˈtɛnd /

verb

1. geometry to be opposite to and delimit (an angle or side)
2. (of a bract, stem, etc) to have (a bud or similar part) growing in its axil
3. to mark off
4. to underlie; be inherent in

Word History and Origins

Origin of subtend¹

1560–70; < Latin subtendere to stretch beneath, equivalent to sub- sub- + tendere to stretch; tend ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of subtend¹

C16: from Latin subtendere to extend beneath, from sub- + tendere to stretch out

Example Sentences

For this purpose the condenser should subtend as large an angle as possible at the source of light.

From Project Gutenberg

Leverrier said it might be recognized by its disk, which, moreover, would subtend a certain angle.

From Project Gutenberg

And two sides of the ordinate quinquangle doe subtend 2/5 of the same.

From Project Gutenberg

Undersea, submarine; underspan, subtend; underslinking, subterfuge.

From Project Gutenberg

In like manner the two pale are bracteoles which subtend the flower proper.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• span
• traverse
• unite