Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sub-
1.
A prefix signifying under, below, beneath, and hence often, in an inferior position or degree, in an imperfect or partial state, as in subscribe, substruct, subserve, subject, subordinate, subacid, subastringent, subgranular, suborn. Sub- in Latin compounds often becomes sum- before m, sur before r, and regularly becomes suc-, suf-, sug-, and sup- before c, f, g, and p respectively. Before c, p, and t it sometimes takes form sus- (by the dropping of b from a collateral form, subs-).
2.
(Chem.)
A prefix denoting that the ingredient (of a compound) signified by the term to which it is prefixed,is present in only a small proportion, or less than the normal amount;
as,
Prefixed to the name of a salt it is equivalent to basic; sub
sulphide, sub
oxide, etc. as,
. sub
acetate or basic
acetate[Obsoles.]
Definition 2024
sub-
sub-
English
Alternative forms
- subs- (by-form)
Prefix
sub-
Usage notes
In Latin, the following sound changes affected "sub-" and cause English borrowings from Latin which contain this prefix to have different forms. Words formed in English using the prefix "sub-" do not exhibit these sound changes. (Combination with 's' involved elision and the other changes involved assimilation.)
- sub + c = suc- (hence succession, from Latin successio; but e.g. subculture formed in English from sub- + culture)
- sub + c = sus- (susceptible)
- sub + f = suf- (suffer, but subfield)
- sub + g = sug- (suggestion, but subgroup)
- sub + p = sup- (support, but subpage)
- sub + r = sur- (surrogate, but subroutine)
- sub + s = su- (suspect, but subset)
- sub + sp = su- (suspire, but subspecies)
- sub + c, p or t = sus- (susceptible, suspend, sustain, but subtitle)[1]
Antonyms
Derived terms
<a class='CategoryTreeLabel CategoryTreeLabelNs14 CategoryTreeLabelCategory' href='/wiki/Category:English_words_prefixed_with_sub-'>English words prefixed with sub-</a>
Translations
under, beneath
subsidiary, secondary
References
French
Prefix
sub-
Derived terms
<a class='CategoryTreeLabel CategoryTreeLabelNs14 CategoryTreeLabelCategory' href='/wiki/Category:French_words_prefixed_with_sub-'>French words prefixed with sub-</a>
Latin
Alternative forms
- suc- (before c)
- suf- (before f)
- sug- (before g)
- sup- (before p)
- sur- (before r)
- su- (before sp)
Prefix
sub-