Sum (?), n. [OE. summe,
somme, OF. sume, some, F. somme, L.
summa, fr. summus highest, a superlative from sub
under. See Sub-, and cf. Supreme.] 1.
The aggregate of two or more numbers, magnitudes, quantities, or
particulars; the amount or whole of any number of individuals or
particulars added together; as, the sum of 5 and 7 is
12.
Take ye the sum of all the
congregation.
Num. i. 2.
☞ Sum is now commonly applied to an aggregate of
numbers, and number to an aggregate of persons or things.
2. A quantity of money or currency; any
amount, indefinitely; as, a sum of money; a small sum,
or a large sum. "The sum of forty pound."
Chaucer.
With a great sum obtained I this
freedom.
Acts xxii. 28.
3. The principal points or thoughts when
viewed together; the amount; the substance; compendium; as, this is
the sum of all the evidence in the case; this is the sum
and substance of his objections.
4. Height; completion; utmost
degree.
Thus have I told thee all my state, and brought
My story to the sum of earthly bliss.
Milton.
5. (Arith.) A problem to be solved, or
an example to be wrought out. Macaulay.
A sum in arithmetic wherein a flaw discovered at
a particular point is ipso facto fatal to the
whole.
Gladstone.
A large sheet of paper . . . covered with long
sums.
Dickens.
Algebraic sum, as distinguished from
arithmetical sum, the aggregate of two or more numbers or
quantities taken with regard to their signs, as + or -, according to
the rules of addition in algebra; thus, the algebraic sum of -
2, 8, and -1 is 5. -- In sum, in short; in
brief. [Obs.] "In sum, the gospel . . . prescribes every
virtue to our conduct, and forbids every sin." Rogers.
Sum, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Summed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Summing.] [Cf. F. sommer, LL. summare.]
1. To bring together into one whole; to collect
into one amount; to cast up, as a column of figures; to ascertain the
totality of; -- usually with up.
The mind doth value every moment, and then the hour
doth rather sum up the moments, than divide the
day.
Bacon.
2. To bring or collect into a small compass;
to comprise in a few words; to condense; -- usually with
up.
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard," in few words
sums up the moral of this fable.
L'Estrange.
He sums their virtues in himself
alone.
Dryden.
3. (Falconry) To have (the feathers)
full grown; to furnish with complete, or full-grown,
plumage.
But feathered soon and fledge
They summed their pens [wings].
Milton.
Summing up, a compendium or abridgment; a
recapitulation; a résumé; a summary.
Syn. -- To cast up; collect; comprise; condense; comprehend;
compute.