subdue definition | Dictionary.com

sub⋅due

[suh

b-doo, -dyoo]

–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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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sub·due (səb-dōō', -dyōō')

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.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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.

Language Translation for : subdue

Spanish: someter; dominar,

German: besiegen,

Japanese: 服従させる

More Translations »

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.

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