subtractive
/səbˈtræk.tɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /səbˈtræk.tɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /səb-ˈtrak-tiv How to pronounce subtractive (audio)/ (ame, mw)
subtractive — 形容詞
- subtractivepositive
- more subtractivecomparative
- most subtractivesuperlative
1. connected to the arithmetic operation in which one number or quantity is taken a
減法的
與減法運算相關的
connected to the arithmetic operation in which one number or quantity is taken away from another to find the difference.
Manuela taught her younger brother the basic subtractive method for solving simple equations.
Manuela 用基本的減法方法教她弟弟解簡單的方程式。
collocation: subtractive method
The exam contained several subtractive problems that required removing one number from another.
考試中包括幾道減法題，需要從一個數字中減去另一個數字。
domain: arithmetic problems
Nora learned that addition and subtractive operations are opposites in basic arithmetic.
Nora 學到在基本算術中，加法和減法運算是相反的。
Andrew used subtractive reasoning to check his answers by working backwards from the result.
Andrew 用減法推理來驗算答案，從結果反推回去。
- minus
more common in everyday speech for the same operation ('minus sign', 'minus calculation')
- additive
refers to the operation of adding rather than taking away
文法句型
subtractive + noun (operation, process, method)
用法筆記
This sense is used almost exclusively in mathematics or arithmetic teaching contexts. It contrasts with 'additive', which refers to the operation of adding.
2. related to the act of removing a part, element, or substance from a larger whole
減除的
涉及移除某部分的
related to the act of removing a part, element, or substance from a larger whole, rather than adding something new.
The factory uses a subtractive process to remove impurities from the raw oil.
這家工廠使用減除製程來去除原油中的雜質。
collocation: subtractive process
Stefan said the subtractive stage of the experiment removes liquid through a filter.
Stefan 說實驗的減除階段會用過濾器把液體取出。
pattern: subtractive + stage + of + noun
Dewi chose a subtractive editing approach, cutting her essay from five pages to just three.
Dewi 選擇了減除式的編輯方法，把她的文章從五頁刪減到只剩三頁。
Walid applied a subtractive technique to carve the statue from a single block of stone.
Walid 運用減除技法，從單一塊石頭中雕刻出這座雕像。
- reductive
similar meaning of reducing by removal, but 'reductive' often has a critical tone (oversimplifying)
- additive
involves building up or adding elements rather than removing them
文法句型
subtractive + noun (process, stage, step, technique)
用法筆記
Often used in manufacturing, chemistry, and editing contexts where materials or content are removed. Contrasts with 'additive' approaches that build up rather than take away.
常見錯誤
3. becoming smaller in amount, degree, or significance through gradual loss or thro
遞減的
因合併或隨時間而減少的
becoming smaller in amount, degree, or significance through gradual loss or through combination with other things over time.
The subtractive effect of inflation means each dollar buys less food than last year.
通貨膨脹的遞減效應，使得每一塊錢能買到的食物比去年少。
collocation: subtractive effect
Kemi noticed a subtractive pattern in her savings as she paid for tuition each semester.
Kemi 發現她每學期繳學費時，存款就會出現遞減的趨勢。
The subtractive colour process makes mixed pigments darker than the original shades.
遞減色彩過程使得混合後的顏料比原本的顏色更深。
The old wooden fence showed a subtractive change as the weather wore it thin.
舊木柵欄出現了遞減的變化，風雨把它磨得越來越薄。
- diminishing
more common in everyday language for gradual decrease, but less technical
- declining
focuses on downward trend rather than removal by combination
- accumulative
involves building up or increasing through addition
- additive
in colour theory, additive mixing (light) produces brighter colours
文法句型
subtractive + noun (effect, change, pattern, process)
用法筆記
Common in colour theory (subtractive colour mixing — mixing paints makes darker colours) and in discussions of economic or resource decline. Distinguish from sense 2 by the element of gradual or combined change over time rather than a single removal action.