Subdue - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

sub·due

Audio Help [suh

b-doo, -dyoo] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), -dued, -du·ing.

1.	to conquer and bring into subjection: Rome subdued Gaul.

2.	to overpower by superior force; overcome.

3.	to bring under mental or emotional control, as by persuasion or intimidation; render submissive.

4.	to repress (feelings, impulses, etc.).

5.	to bring (land) under cultivation: to subdue the wilderness.

6.	to reduce the intensity, force, or vividness of (sound, light, color, etc.); tone down; soften.

7.	to allay (inflammation, infection, etc.).

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME so(b)duen, so(b)dewen < AF *soduer to overcome, OF soduire to deceive, seduce < L subdūcere to withdraw (see subduct); meaning in E (and AF) < L subdere to place beneath, subdue

]

—Related forms

sub·du·a·ble, adjective

sub·du·a·ble·ness, noun

sub·du·a·bly, adverb

sub·du·er, noun

sub·du·ing·ly, adverb

—Synonyms 1. subjugate, vanquish. See defeat. 3. tame, break, discipline. 3, 4. suppress.

—Antonyms 4. awaken, arouse. 6. intensify.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Subdue

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

sub·due Audio Help (səb-dōō', -dyōō') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. sub·dued, sub·du·ing, sub·dues

To conquer and subjugate; vanquish. See Synonyms at defeat.
To quiet or bring under control by physical force or persuasion; make tractable.
To make less intense or prominent; tone down: subdued my excitement about the upcoming holiday.
To bring (land) under cultivation: Farmers subdued the arid lands of Australia.

[Middle English subduen, alteration (influenced by Latin subdere, to subject) of Old French suduire, to seduce, from Latin subdūcere, to withdraw (probably influenced by Latin sēdūcere, to seduce) : sub-, away; see sub- + dūcere, to lead; see deuk- in Indo-European roots.]

sub·du'a·ble adj., sub·du'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
subdue

1387, "to conquer," from O.Fr. souduire "deceive, seduce," from L. subducere "draw, lead away, withdraw" (see subduce). The sense seems to have been taken over in Anglo-Fr. from L. subdere. Subdued "reduced in intensity, toned down" is attested from 1822. Subduct in the sense of "subtract" is from 1571.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

subdue
verb
1.	put down by force or intimidation; "The government quashes any attempt of an uprising"; "China keeps down her dissidents very efficiently"; "The rich landowners subjugated the peasants working the land" [syn: repress]
2.	to put down by force or authority; "suppress a nascent uprising"; "stamp down on littering"; "conquer one's desires" [syn: suppress]
3.	hold within limits and control; "subdue one's appetites"; "mortify the flesh" [syn: mortify]
4.	get on top of; deal with successfully; "He overcame his shyness" [syn: overcome]
5.	make subordinate, dependent, or subservient; "Our wishes have to be subordinated to that of our ruler" [syn: subordinate]
6.	correct by punishment or discipline [syn: tame]

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
subdue [səbˈdjuː] verb

to conquer, overcome or bring under control
Example: After months of fighting the rebels were subdued.

Arabic:	يُخْضِع
Chinese (Simplified):	征服
Chinese (Traditional):	征服
Czech:	podrobit
Danish:	overvinde
Dutch:	onderwerpen
Estonian:	alistama
Finnish:	kukistaa
French:	soumettre
German:	besiegen
Greek:	υποτάσσω
Hungarian:	leigáz
Icelandic:	yfirbuga
Indonesian:	menundukkan
Italian:	sottomettere

Japanese:	服従させる
Korean:	정복하다, 진압하다
Latvian:	apspiest; pakļaut
Lithuanian:	nugalėti, numalšinti, nuslopinti
Norwegian:	underlegge seg, kue, undertrykke
Polish:	podbić, pokonać
Portuguese (Brazil):	subjugar
Portuguese (Portugal):	dominar
Romanian:	a supune
Russian:	подавлять
Slovak:	podrobiť
Slovenian:	podrediti
Spanish:	someter; dominar
Swedish:	underkuva, besegra
Turkish:	boyun eğdirmek, bastırmak

See also: subdued

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Subdue

Con"quer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Conquered; p. pr. & vb. n. Conquering.] [OF. conquerre, F. conqu['e]rir, fr. L. conquirere, -quisitum, to seek or search for, to bring together, LL., to conquer; con- + quaerere to seek. See Quest.]

1. To gain or acquire by force; to take possession of by violent means; to gain dominion over; to subdue by physical means; to reduce; to overcome by force of arms; to cause to yield; to vanquish. "If thou conquer Rome." --Shak.

If we be conquer'd, let men conquer us. --Shak.

We conquered France, but felt our captive's charms. --Pope.

2. To subdue or overcome by mental or moral power; to surmount; as, to conquer difficulties, temptation, etc.

By winning words to conquer hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear. --Milton.

3. To gain or obtain, overcoming obstacles in the way; to win; as, to conquer freedom; to conquer a peace.

Syn: To subdue; vanquish; overcome; overpower; overthrow; defeat; rout; discomfit; subjugate; reduce; humble; crush; surmount; subject; master.

Usage: To Conquer, Vanquish, Subdue, Subjugate, Overcome. These words agree in the general idea expressed by overcome, -- that of bringing under one's power by the exertion of force. Conquer is wider and more general than vanquish, denoting usually a succession of conflicts. Vanquish is more individual, and refers usually to a single conflict. Thus, Alexander conquered Asia in a succession of battles, and vanquished Darius in one decisive engagement. Subdue implies a more gradual and continual pressure, but a surer and more final subjection. We speak of a nation as subdued when its spirit is at last broken, so that no further resistance is offered. Subjugate is to bring completely under the yoke of bondage. The ancient Gauls were never finally subdued by the Romans until they were completely subjugated. These words, when used figuratively, have correspondent meanings. We conquer our prejudices or aversions by a succesion of conflicts; but we sometimes vanquish our reluctance to duty by one decided effort: we endeavor to subdue our evil propensities by watchful and persevering exertions. Subjugate is more commonly taken in its primary meaning, and when used figuratively has generally a bad sense; as, his reason was completely subjugated to the sway of his passions.

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