n. [ OE. summe, somme, OF. sume, some, F. somme, L. summa, fr. summus highest, a superlative from sub under. See Sub-, and cf. Supreme. ] 1. The aggregate of two or more numbers, magnitudes, quantities, or particulars; the amount or whole of any number of individuals or particulars added together; as, the sum of 5 and 7 is 12. [ 1913 Webster ]

Take ye the sum of all the congregation. Num. i. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Sum is now commonly applied to an aggregate of numbers, and number to an aggregate of persons or things. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A quantity of money or currency; any amount, indefinitely; as, a sum of money; a small sum, or a large sum. “The sum of forty pound.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

With a great sum obtained I this freedom. Acts xxii. 28. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 his objections. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Height; completion; utmost degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus have I told thee all my state, and brought
My story to the sum of earthly bliss. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Arith.) A problem to be solved, or an example to be wrought out. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

A sum in arithmetic wherein a flaw discovered at a particular point is ipso facto fatal to the whole. Gladstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

A large sheet of paper . . . covered with long sums. Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]

Algebraic sum, as distinguished from arithmetical sum, the aggregate of two or more numbers or quantities taken with regard to their signs, as + or -, according to the rules of addition in algebra; thus, the algebraic sum of -2, 8, and -1 is 5. --
In sum, in short; in brief. [ Obs. ] “In sum, the gospel . . . prescribes every virtue to our conduct, and forbids every sin.” Rogers. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Summed p. pr. & vb. n. Summing. ] [ Cf. F. sommer, LL. summare. ] 1. To bring together into one whole; to collect into one amount; to cast up, as a column of figures; to ascertain the totality of; -- usually with up. [ 1913 Webster ]

The mind doth value every moment, and then the hour doth rather sum up the moments, than divide the day. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To bring or collect into a small compass; to comprise in a few words; to condense; -- usually with up. [ 1913 Webster ]

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard, ” in few words sums up the moral of this fable. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

He sums their virtues in himself alone. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Falconry) To have (the feathers) full grown; to furnish with complete, or full-grown, plumage. [ 1913 Webster ]

But feathered soon and fledge
They summed their pens [ wings ]. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Summing up, a compendium or abridgment; a recapitulation; a résumé; a summary. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To cast up; collect; comprise; condense; comprehend; compute. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ F. sumac, formerly sumach (cf. Sp. zumaque), fr. Ar. summāq. ] [ Written also shumac. ] 1. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Rhus, shrubs or small trees with usually compound leaves and clusters of small flowers. Some of the species are used in tanning, some in dyeing, and some in medicine. One, the Japanese Rhus vernicifera, yields the celebrated Japan varnish, or lacquer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The powdered leaves, peduncles, and young branches of certain species of the sumac plant, used in tanning and dyeing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Poison sumac. (Bot.) See under Poison. [ 1913 Webster ]

A thin, elastic, uniformly light-colored tobacco leaf, raised in Sumatra and extensively used for cigar wrappers. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Of or pertaining to Sumatra or its inhabitants. -- n. A native of Sumatra. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pers. ] The musky root of an Asiatic umbelliferous plant, Ferula Sumbul. It is used in medicine as a stimulant. [ Written also sumbal. ] -- Sum*bul"ic, a. [1913 Webster]

a. [ Written also Sumirian. ] Of or pertaining to the region of lower Babylonia, which was anciently called Sumer, or its inhabitants or their language. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Written also Sumirian. ] A native of lower Babylonia, anciently called Sumer. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Not to be summed up or computed; so great that the amount can not be ascertained; incalculable; inestimable. “Sumless treasure.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a summary manner. [ 1913 Webster ]