Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1837-1953
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SUBSTRACT, v. To subtract, take one sum from another. Gen.Sc., obsol. Now obs. or in illiterate use in Eng. The now commoner Sc. form is subtrack (Knr. 1878 J. L. Robertson Poems 78; Sh., ne.Sc. 1971). Hence substraction, subtraction.Sc. 1837 Carlyle German Romance II. 13:
With additions or substractions.Ags. 1887 A. D. Willock Rosetty Ends 169:
Substraction an' multiplication got a big rest yont-by at the schule.Per. 1910 W. Blair Kildermoch 121:
Wi' a' its superfluities substractit frae it.Sc. 1953 Sc. Home & Country (July) 239:
Substract a wee bit frae Rubbert's breeks instead o' wastin' yer time daeing substraction sums.
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"Substract v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/substract>
