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.
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.
[suh
b-doo, -dyoo] 