subdue
Use Subdue in a sentence
verb (used with object), sub·dued, sub·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.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English so(b)duen, so(b)dewen < Anglo-French *soduer to overcome, Old French soduire to deceive, seduce < Latin subdūcere to withdraw (see subduct); meaning in E (and Anglo-French) < Latin subdere to place beneath, subdue
1350–1400; Middle English so(b)duen, so(b)dewen < Anglo-French *soduer to overcome, Old French soduire to deceive, seduce < Latin subdūcere to withdraw (see subduct); meaning in E (and Anglo-French) < Latin 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
Antonyms
4. awaken, arouse. 6. intensify.
4. awaken, arouse. 6. intensify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To subdue
00:10
Subdue
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
subdue (səbˈdjuː) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb , -dues, -duing, -dued | |
| 1. | to establish ascendancy over by force |
| 2. | to overcome and bring under control, as by intimidation or persuasion |
| 3. | to hold in check or repress (feelings, emotions, etc) |
| 4. | to render less intense or less conspicuous |
| [C14 sobdue, from Old French soduire to mislead, from Latin subdūcere to remove; English sense influenced by Latin subdere to subject] | |
| sub'duable | |
| —adj | |
| sub'duably | |
| —adv | |
| sub'dual | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
subdue
late 14c., "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. Subduct in the sense of "subtract" is from 1570s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
Fortunately, it is not intended to subdue humans, but to allow them to control their environments better.
Physically subdue a resisting or fleeing probationer, with no additional help.
The oldest profession predates history, and laws designed to subdue it have rarely proved effective.
Rattlesnakes use their venom to subdue prey, which are mainly rodents.
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