Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

inferior

 - 6 dictionary results

in⋅fe⋅ri⋅or

  [in-feer-ee-er]
Use inferior in a Sentence
–adjective
1. lower in station, rank, degree, or grade (often fol. by to): a rank inferior to colonel.
2. lower in place or position; closer to the bottom or base: descending into the inferior regions of the earth.
3. of comparatively low grade; poor in quality; substandard: an inferior product.
4. less important, valuable, or worthy: B+ bonds are inferior to AAA bonds.
5. acting or performing in a way that is comparatively poor or mediocre: an inferior observer of human nature.
6. Botany.
a. situated below some other organ.
b. (of a calyx) inserted below the ovary.
c. (of an ovary) having a superior calyx.
7. Anatomy. (of an organ or part)
a. lower in place or position; situated beneath another.
b. toward the feet. Compare superior (def. 9).
8. Astronomy. lying below the horizon: the inferior part of a meridian.
9. Printing. written or printed low on a line of text, as the “2” in H2O; subscript. Compare superior (def. 10).
–noun
10. a person inferior to another or others, as in rank or merit.
11. Also called subscript. Printing. a letter, number, or symbol written or printed low on a line of text. Compare superior (def. 12).
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < L, equiv. to infer(us) lower (cf. under ) + -ior comp. suffix

Related forms:
in⋅fe⋅ri⋅or⋅i⋅ty  [in-feer-ee-awr-i-tee, -or-] , noun
in⋅fe⋅ri⋅or⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
3. mediocre, low-quality, second-rate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To inferior
in·fe·ri·or   (ĭn-fîr'ē-ər)   
adj.  

  1. Low or lower in order, degree, or rank: Captain is an inferior rank to major.

    1. Low or lower in quality, value, or estimation: inferior craft; felt inferior to his older sibling.

    2. Second-rate; poor: an inferior translation.

    3. Orbiting between Earth and the sun: Mercury is an inferior planet.

    4. Lying below the horizon.

  3. Situated under or beneath.

  4. Botany Located below the perianth and other floral parts. Used of an ovary.

  5. Anatomy Located beneath or directed downward.

  6. Printing Set below the normal line of type; subscript.

  7. Astronomy

    1. Orbiting between Earth and the sun: Mercury is an inferior planet.

    2. Lying below the horizon.

n.  

  1. A person lower in rank, status, or accomplishment than another.

  2. Printing An inferior character, such as the number 2 in CO2.


[Middle English, from Latin īnferior, comparative of īnferus, low; see dher- in Indo-European roots.]
in·fe'ri·or'i·ty (-ôr'ĭ-tē, -ŏr'-) n., in·fe'ri·or·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

inferior  (adj.)
1432, from L. inferior "lower," comp. form of inferus (adj.) "that is below or beneath," from infra "below." Noun meaning "a person inferior to another in rank, etc.," is from 1502. Inferiority complex first attested 1922.
"The surrender of life is nothing to sinking down into acknowledgment of inferiority." [John C. Calhoun]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: in·fe·ri·or
Function: adjective
: of lower status, rank, or priority
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·fe·ri·or
Pronunciation: in-'fir-E-&r
Function: adjective
1 : situated below and closer to the feet thananother and especially another similar part of an upright body especially of a human being —compare SUPERIOR 1
2 : situated in a more posterior or ventral position in the body of a quadruped —compare SUPERIOR 2
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

inferior in·fe·ri·or (ĭn-fēr'ē-ər)
adj.

  1. Low or lower in order, degree, or rank.

  2. Low or lower in quality, value, or estimation.

  3. Second-rate; poor.

  4. Situated below or directed downward.

  5. In human anatomy, situated nearer the soles in relation to a reference point.

in·fe'ri·or'i·ty (-ôr'ĭ-tē) n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see inferior on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way