A-pŏt' o-me, n.
n. [Gr. ἀποτομή, a cutting off, from ἀποτέμνειν, to cut off, from ἀπό and τέμνειν, to cut.]
Sense 1. (Math.) The difference between two quantities commensurable only in power, as between √2 and 1, or between the diagonal and side of a square.
Sense 2. (Mus.) The remaining part of a whole tone after a major semitone has been deducted from it. [Obs.] Brande.