Meaning & Definition of word "Subset"

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    Subset

    /ˈsʌbˌsɛt/

    noun:

    • 1. A set that is entirely contained within another set.
      • Example: The set of even numbers is a subset of the set of integers.
    • 2. Any portion of a larger group or category.
      • Example: The group of volunteers is a subset of the entire community.
    • 3. In mathematics, a subset is a collection of elements that are all members of another set.
      • Example: If A = {1, 2, 3} and B = {1, 2}, then B is a subset of A.

    Etymology

    Derived from 'sub-' meaning 'under' and 'set' from Latin 'satus,' meaning 'to place.'

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    proper subset:

    A subset that contains some but not all elements of the larger set.

    null subset:

    The subset that contains no elements, also known as the empty set.

    power set:

    The set of all possible subsets of a given set.

    Related Words

    set:

    A collection of distinct objects, considered as an object in its own right.

    element:

    An individual object or member of a set.

    union:

    The set containing all elements of two or more sets.

    Slang Meanings of subset

    Meaning: A smaller or specialized group within a larger community.

    Example Sentence: That gamer community is just a subset of the larger online gaming world.

    Meaning: A specific category within a broader classification.

    Example Sentence: The tech startup scene is a subset of the overall business landscape.