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subordinate

 - 5 dictionary results

sub⋅or⋅di⋅nate

  [adj., n. suh-bawr-dn-it; v. suh-bawr-dn-eyt] adjective, noun, verb, -nat⋅ed, -nat⋅ing.
Use subordinate in a Sentence
–adjective
1. placed in or belonging to a lower order or rank.
2. of less importance; secondary.
3. subject to or under the authority of a superior.
4. subservient or inferior.
5. subject; dependent.
6. Grammar.
a. acting as a modifier, as when I finished, which is subordinate to They were glad in They were glad when I finished.
b. noting or pertaining to a subordinating conjunction.
7. Obsolete. submissive.
–noun
8. a subordinate person or thing.
–verb (used with object)
9. to place in a lower order or rank.
10. to make secondary (usually fol. by to): to subordinate work to pleasure.
11. to make subject, subservient, or dependent (usually fol. by to): to subordinate passion to reason.
Origin:
1425–75; late ME (adj.) < ML subōrdinātus ptp. of subōrdināre to subordinate, equiv. to L sub- sub- + ōrdin- (s. of ōrdō) rank, order + -ātus -ate 1

Related forms:
sub⋅or⋅di⋅nate⋅ly, adverb
sub⋅or⋅di⋅nate⋅ness, noun
sub⋅or⋅di⋅na⋅tion, sub⋅or⋅di⋅na⋅cy  [suh-bawr-dn-uh-see] , noun
sub⋅or⋅di⋅na⋅tive  [suh-bawr-dn-ey-tiv, -bawr-dn-uh-] , adjective

Synonyms:
2. ancillary. 8. inferior, subject. 9. lower, reduce.

Antonyms:
2. superior; primary.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To subordinate
sub·or·di·nate   (sə-bôr'dn-ĭt)   
adj.  

  1. Belonging to a lower or inferior class or rank; secondary.

  2. Subject to the authority or control of another.

n.  One that is subordinate.
tr.v.   (sə-bôr'dn-āt') sub·or·di·nat·ed, sub·or·di·nat·ing, sub·or·di·nates

  1. To put in a lower or inferior rank or class.

  2. To make subservient; subdue.


[Middle English subordinat, from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, past participle of subōrdināre, to put in a lower rank : Latin sub-, sub- + Latin ōrdināre, to set in order (from ōrdō, ōrdin-, order; see ar- in Indo-European roots).]
sub·or'di·nate·ly adv., sub·or'di·nate·ness, sub·or'di·na'tion (-nā'shən) n., sub·or'di·na'tive (-nə'tĭv) adj.
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

subordinate  (adj.)
1456, from M.L. subordinatus "placed in a lower order, made subject," pp. of subordinare "place in a lower order," from L. sub "under" + ordinare "arrange" (see ordain). The verb meaning "to bring into a subordinate position" is recorded from 1597.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: sub·or·di·nate
Pronunciation: s&-'bord-&n-&t
Function: adjective
1 : placed in or occupying a lower rank, class, or position
2 : submissive to or controlled by authority

Main Entry: sub·or·di·nate
Pronunciation: s&-'bord-&n-"At
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -nat·ed; -nat·ing
: to assign lower priority to (as a debt or creditor) : postpone satisfaction of until after satisfaction of another subordinated to the rights of the assignor's trustee in bankruptcy —J. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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