sum

 
Pronunciation: /sʌm/

noun

  • 1a particular amount of money: they could not afford such a sum
  • 2 (the sum of) the total amount resulting from the addition of two or more numbers, amounts, or items: the sum of two prime numbers
  • the total amount of something that exists: the sum of his own knowledge
  • 3an arithmetical problem, especially at an elementary level: we did sums at school, Mummy do your sums, then the shock will not be too great

verb (sums, summing, summed)

[with object]
  • technical find the sum of (two or more amounts): if we sum these equations we obtain X

Phrases

in sum

to sum up: this interpretation does little, in sum, to add to our understanding

Phrasal Verbs

sum up

give a brief summary: Gerard will open the debate and I will sum up
Law (of a judge) review the evidence at the end of a case and direct the jury regarding points of law: he was summing up on day two of a historic test case

sum someone/thing up

concisely describe of the nature or character of someone or something: selfish—that summed her up

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from Latin summa 'main part, sum total', feminine of summus 'highest'