subsentence

noun

sub·​sen·​tence ˈsəb-ˌsen-tᵊn(t)s How to pronounce subsentence (audio)
-tᵊnz
variants or sub-sentence
plural subsentences or sub-sentences
1
grammar : a sentence that is part of a larger sentence
"I was late" is a subsentence of "I was late because it was snowing."
2
: a mathematical or logical statement that makes up part of a larger mathematical or logical statement
The sentence "A = B implies that B = C" contains the subsentences A = B and B = C.

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subsentence was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near subsentence

Cite this Entry

“Subsentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsentence. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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