subtraction

n. [ L. subtractio a drawing back. See Subtract, and cf. Substraction. ] 1. The act or operation of subtracting or taking away a part. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) The withdrawing or withholding from a person of some right to which he is entitled by law. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]