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subtractive
[ suhb-trak-tiv ]
/ səbˈtræk tɪv /
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adjective
Mathematics. (of a quantity) that is to be subtracted; having the minus sign (−).
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OTHER WORDS FROM subtractive
non·sub·trac·tive, adjectivenon·sub·trac·tive·ly, adverbun·sub·trac·tive, adjectiveWords nearby subtractive
subtopic, subtorrid, subtotal, subtract, subtraction, subtractive, subtractive color, subtractive process, subtrahend, subtreasury, subtropical
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use subtractive in a sentence
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
[ sÉ™b-trăk′tÄv ]
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
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