Subsume Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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subsume
[səbˈsjuːm ]
Definition
general usage
To subsume means to include or absorb something within a larger category or group. In logic and philosophy, it refers to the concept of categorizing an idea or entity under a broader principle or rule. It often implies that the specifics are encompassed by the more general, thus losing their independent significance. This term is commonly used in discussions about classification, where certain items may be subsumed under a common classification or set.
Synonyms
comprise, contain, encompass, include.
Examples of usage
- All mammals subsume under the category of vertebrates.
- The new regulations subsume several previous laws.
- In her theory, she aimed to subsume various psychological concepts.
- The particular cases were subsumed into a larger trend.
Translations
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Origin of 'subsume'
The word 'subsume' comes from the Latin root 'subsumere', which means 'to take up under'. This is a combination of 'sub-', meaning 'under', and 'sumere', meaning 'to take'. The term made its way into English during the late 19th century, primarily through its use in scholarly texts related to philosophy and logic. It has since been adapted into various fields, including law, science, and general analysis, where the concept of categorizing and grouping is often essential. Over time, its usage has expanded, but its core meaning of encompassing something within a larger whole has remained fundamentally unchanged.