subtractive

[ suh b-trak-tiv ]
/ səbˈtræk tɪv /

adjective

tending to subtract; having power to subtract.
Mathematics. (of a quantity) that is to be subtracted; having the minus sign (−).

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Origin of subtractive

First recorded in 1680–90; subtract + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM subtractive

non·sub·trac·tive, adjectivenon·sub·trac·tive·ly, adverbun·sub·trac·tive, adjective

Words nearby subtractive

subtorrid, subtotal, subtotal hysterectomy, subtract, subtraction, subtractive, subtractive color, subtractive process, subtrahend, subtreasury, subtropical
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Example sentences from the Web for subtractive

British Dictionary definitions for subtractive

subtractive
/ (səbˈtræktɪv) /

adjective

able or tending to remove or subtract
indicating or requiring subtraction; having a minus sign–x is a subtractive quantity
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for subtractive

subtractive
[ səb-trăk′tĭv ]

Relating to the production of color by the blocking or removal of varying wavelengths, as with colored filters, or by the mixing of pigments that absorb certain wavelengths and reflect others.♦ The subtractive primaries cyan, magenta, and yellow are those colors whose wavelengths can be filtered or absorbed in different proportions to produce all other colors. Compare additive. See Note at color.
Marked by or involving subtraction.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.