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Webster 1913 Edition

Subtend

Sub-tend′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Subtended
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Subtending
.]
[L.
subtendere
;
sub
under +
tendere
to stretch, extend. See
Tend
.]
To extend under, or be opposed to;
as, the line of a triangle which
subtends
the right angle; the chord
subtends
an arc
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Subtend

SUBTEND'

,
Verb.
T.
[L. sub and tendo, to stretch.] To extend under; as the line of a triangle which subtends the right angle; to subtend the chord of an arch. A line from the eye to a planet, subtends an angle of 40 degrees with the horizon.

Definition 2024

subtend

subtend

English

Verb

subtend ‎(third-person singular simple present subtends, present participle subtending, simple past and past participle subtended)

  1. (transitive) To extend or stretch underneath or opposite something.
    • 2012, Me, myself, us,The Economist, 16th august 2012 issue
      ...trillions of bacteria, each equally an individual, which are found in a person’s gut, his mouth, his scalp, his skin and all of the crevices and orifices that subtend from his body’s surface.
  2. (mathematics) To enclose an arc on a circle with an angle.
    A 43° angle subtends an arc about ¾ meter long on a circle with a radius of 1 meter.

Translations

Etymology

From Latin subtendere; sub ‎(“under”) + tendere ‎(“to stretch, extend”). See tend.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /sʌbˈtɛnd/
  • Rhymes: -ɛnd

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