Sum

n. [O. Fr. sume, some, N. Fr. somme, Pr. soma, somma, summa, Pg. somma, summa, Sp. suma, It. somma, Ger. summe, Lat. summa, from summus, highest, from superus, that is above, upper, higher, from super, above.]

1Sense 1. The aggregate of two or more numbers, magnitudes, quantities, or particulars; the amount or whole of any number of individuals or particulars added; as, the sum of 5 and 7 is 12.

Take ye the sum of all the congregation. Num. i. 20.

☞ Sum is now applied more generally to numbers, and number to persons and things.

2Sense 2. A quantity of money or currency; any amount, indefinitely; as, a sum of money, a small sum, or a large sum.

3Sense 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 all his objections.

4Sense 4. Height; completion.

Thus have I told thee all my state, and brought My story to the sum of earthly bliss. Milton.

5Sense 5. A problem to be solved, or example to be wrought, in arithmetic. Miss Edgeworth.

Ha! a sum in division, I reckon. G. Colman.

At present, you shall see a girl, . . . who could work quickly a sum in the Rule of Three, afterward wasting a fourth of her husband's wages through want of management. Mrs. Jameson.

He took out of it a large sheet of paper, folded small, and quite covered with long sums carefully worked. From the glimpse I had of them, I should say that I never saw such sums out of a school ciphering-book. Dickens.

Algebraic sum, as distinguished from arithmetic sum, the aggregate of two or more numbers taken with regard to their signs, as + or —, according to the rules of addition in algebra; thus, the sum of —2, 8, and —1 is 5.

In sum, in short. [Obs.] “In sum, the gospel, considered as a law, prescribes every virtue to our conduct, and forbids every sin.” Rogers.