subexpression

1 7.4

A part of a larger math or logic statement you can treat separately

noun
/ˌsʌbˌɛkspəˈrɛʃən/

Specialized

: subexpresión

Examples

Common subexpression elimination applies to lines 18/24, 19/25, and 37/38, where the function calls to hori, vert, and slope are repeated for the same inputs.

Academic text (2018)
In mathematics, a subexpression can be simplified separately before being integrated into the final equation.
When evaluating complex formulas, it's helpful to break them down into smaller subexpressions for clarity.
The programming language allows the use of a subexpression to optimize the execution of complicated logic operations.

Surface Forms

subexpression singular

subexpressions plural

Morphology

subexpression = expression (transparent) = sub + expression

The prefix 'sub-' meaning 'part of' or 'under' combines straightforwardly with the noun 'expression' to indicate a part of a larger expression.

Etymology

Subexpression comes from sub- meaning 'under' or 'below', like in subway or submarine, and expression meaning 'a math statement or formula'. So, a subexpression is a smaller expression 'inside' or 'under' a larger one, which is why you can look at it and solve it by itself.