binary subtractor
nounUK /ˈbaɪnəri səbˈtræktə/
US /ˈbaɪnəri səbˈtræktər/
A binary subtractor is a machine part that takes away one number from another using only 0s and 1s.
The computer's binary subtractor figured out that 1010 minus 0011 equals 0111.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A full subtractor, a circuit that subtracts two bits and accounts for a borrow from the next column.
The full binary subtractor handled the borrow bit correctly.
3. A half subtractor, a simpler circuit that subtracts two single bits without a borrow input.
A half binary subtractor is enough when no borrow comes in.
4. A software routine that performs subtraction on binary-encoded values.
The emulator's binary subtractor processed the instruction in one cycle.