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Webster 1913 Edition


Subordinate

Sub-or′di-nate

,
Adj.
[Pref.
sub
+ L.
ordinatus
, p. p. of
ordinare
to set in order, to arrange. See
Ordain
.]
1.
Placed in a lower order, class, or rank; holding a lower or inferior position.
The several kinds and
subordinate
species of each are easily distinguished.
Woodward.
2.
Inferior in order, nature, dignity, power, importance, or the like.
It was
subordinate
, not enslaved, to the understanding.
South.

Sub-or′di-nate

,
Noun.
One who stands in order or rank below another; – distinguished from a principal.
Milton.

Sub-or′di-nate

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Subordinated
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Subordinating
.]
1.
To place in a lower order or class; to make or consider as of less value or importance;
as, to
subordinate
one creature to another
.
2.
To make subject; to subject or subdue;
as, to
subordinate
the passions to reason
.
Sub-or′di-nate-ly
,
adv.
Sub-or′di-nate-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition


Subordinate

SUBOR'DINATE

,
Adj.
[L. sub and ordinatus, from ordo, order.]
1.
Inferior in order,in nature, in dignity, in power, importance, &c.; as subordinate officers.
It was subordinate, not enslaved, to the understanding.
2.
Descending in a regular series.
The several kinds and subordinate species of each, are easily distinguished.

SUBOR'DINATE

,
Verb.
T.
To place in order or rank below something else; to make or consider as of less value or importance; as, to subordinate one creature to another; to subordinate temporal to spiritual things.
1.
To make subject; as, to subordinate the passions to reason.

Definition 2024


subordinate

subordinate

English

Adjective

subordinate (comparative more subordinate, superlative most subordinate)

  1. Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.
    • Woodward
      The several kinds and subordinate species of each are easily distinguished.
  2. Submissive or inferior to, or controlled by, authority.
    • South
      It was subordinate, not enslaved, to the understanding.
  3. (grammar, of a clause, not comparable) dependent on and either modifying or complementing the main clause
    In the sentence, “The barbecue finished before John arrived”, the subordinate clause “before John arrived” specifies the time of the main clause, “The barbecue finished”.

Synonyms

  • (placed in a lower class, rank, or position): lesser
  • (grammar, dependent on the main clause): dependent

Antonyms

Translations

See also

Noun

subordinate (plural subordinates)

  1. (countable) One who is subordinate.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Translations

Verb

subordinate (third-person singular simple present subordinates, present participle subordinating, simple past and past participle subordinated)

  1. (transitive) To make subservient.
  2. (transitive) To treat as of less value or importance.
  3. (transitive, finance) To make of lower priority in order of payment in bankruptcy.

Synonyms

Translations


Italian

Adjective

subordinate

  1. feminine plural of subordinato

Verb

subordinate

  1. second-person plural present indicative of subordinare
  2. second-person plural imperative of subordinare
  3. feminine plural of subordinato

Latin

Verb

subōrdināte

  1. second-person plural present active imperative of subōrdinō