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subdue

 - 3 dictionary results

sub⋅due

  [suhb-doo, -dyoo]
Use subdue in a Sentence
–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.
Cite This Source Link To subdue
sub·due   (səb-dōō', -dyōō')   
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.
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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Word Origin & History

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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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