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subdue
5 dictionary results for: subdue
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
sub·due       [suhb-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]

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

1. subjugate, vanquish. See defeat. 3. tame, break, discipline. 3, 4. suppress.
4. awaken, arouse. 6. intensify.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
sub·due       (səb-dōō', -dyōō')  Pronunciation Key 
tr.v.   sub·dued, sub·du·ing, sub·dues
  1. To conquer and subjugate; vanquish. See Synonyms at defeat.
  2. To quiet or bring under control by physical force or persuasion; make tractable.
  3. To make less intense or prominent; tone down: subdued my excitement about the upcoming holiday.
  4. 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.
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

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

Subdue

Sub*due"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Subdued; p. pr. & vb. n. Subduing.] [OE. soduen, OF. sosduire to seduce, L. subtus below (fr. sub under) + ducere to lead. See Duke, and cf. Subduct.]

1. To bring under; to conquer by force or the exertion of superior power, and bring into permanent subjection; to reduce under dominion; to vanquish.

I will subdue all thine enemies. --1 Chron. xvii. 10.

2. To overpower so as to disable from further resistance; to crush.

Nothing could have subdued nature To such a lowness, but his unkind daughters. --Shak.

If aught . . . were worthy to subdue The soul of man. --Milton.

3. To destroy the force of; to overcome; as, medicines subdue a fever.

4. To render submissive; to bring under command; to reduce to mildness or obedience; to tame; as, to subdue a stubborn child; to subdue the temper or passions.

5. To overcome, as by persuasion or other mild means; as, to subdue opposition by argument or entreaties.

6. To reduce to tenderness; to melt; to soften; as, to subdue ferocity by tears.

7. To make mellow; to break, as land; also, to destroy, as weeds.

8. To reduce the intensity or degree of; to tone down; to soften; as, to subdue the brilliancy of colors.

Syn: To conquer; overpower; overcome; surmount; vanquish. See Conquer.

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