Mathematicsthe total of two or more numbers, amounts, or quantities, determined by or as if by addition:The sum of 6 and 8 is 14.
an amount or quantity, esp. of money:to lend small sums.
Mathematicsa series of numbers or quantities to be added up.
the full amount, or the whole:the sum of our knowledge.
the main idea, gist, or point:the sum and substance of his argument.
v.
Mathematics[~ + object] to figure out the sum of, as by addition.
sum up:
to express in a brief yet complete statement; summarize: [~ + up + object]He summed up the main points of the speech.[~ + object + up]Can you sum it all up in just a few words?[no object]ready to sum up at last after a long speech.
to form a quick estimate or judgment of: [~ + up + object]quickly summed up the situation.[~ + object + up]She summed him up in a minute.
Idioms
Idiomsin sum, in brief but complete form:In sum, the government believes it knows what it is doing.
-sum-,root.
-sum- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "take up; pick up.'' This meaning is found in such words as: assume, consume, consumption, presume, presumption, resume, resumé, resumption, subsume.
sum(sum),USA pronunciationn., v.,summed, sum•ming. n.
Mathematicsthe aggregate of two or more numbers, magnitudes, quantities, or particulars as determined by or as if by the mathematical process of addition:The sum of 6 and 8 is 14.
a particular aggregate or total, esp. with reference to money:The expenses came to an enormous sum.
an indefinite amount or quantity, esp. of money:to lend small sums.
Mathematicsa series of numbers or quantities to be added up.
Mathematicsan arithmetical problem to be solved, or such a problem worked out and having the various steps shown.
the full amount, or the whole.
the substance or gist of a matter, comprehensively or broadly viewed or expressed:the sum of his opinions.
concise or brief form:in sum.
Mathematics
the limit of the sequence of partial sums of a given infinite series.
union (def. 10a).
a summary.
v.t.
to combine into an aggregate or total (often fol. by up).
Mathematicsto ascertain the sum of, as by addition.
to bring into or contain in a small compass (often fol. by up).
v.i.
to amount (usually fol. by to or into):Their expenses summed into the thousands.
sum up:
to reckon:We summed up our assets and liabilities.
to bring into or contain in a brief and comprehensive statement; summarize:to sum up the case for the prosecution.
to form a quick estimate of:I summed him up in a minute.
Medieval Latin summāre, derivative of summa
Old French summer)
Latin summa sum, noun, nominal use of feminine of summus highest, superlative of superus (see superior); (verb, verbal) Middle English summen (
(noun, nominal) Middle English summe 1250–1300
sum′less, adj. sum′less•ness, n.
1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See number.