subordinate
Use Subordinate in a sentence
sub·or·di·nate
[adj., n. suh-bawr-dn-it; v. suh-bawr-dn-eyt] adjective, noun, verb, sub·or·di·nat·ed, sub·or·di·nat·ing. 
dn 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.
00:10
Subordinate
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
| chat, to converse |
verb (used with object)
9.
to place in a lower order or rank.
10.
to make secondary (usually followed by to ): to subordinate work to pleasure.
11.
to make subject, subservient, or dependent (usually followed by to ): to subordinate passion to reason.
Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English (adj.) < Medieval Latin subōrdinātus past participle of subōrdināre to subordinate, equivalent to Latin sub- sub- + ōrdin- (stem of ōrdō) rank, order + -ātus -ate1
1425–75; late Middle English (adj.) < Medieval Latin subōrdinātus past participle of subōrdināre to subordinate, equivalent to Latin sub- sub- + ōrdin- (stem of ōrdō) rank, order + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
sub·or·di·nate·ly, adverb
sub·or·di·nate·ness, noun
non·sub·or·di·nate, adjective
non·sub·or·di·nat·ing, adjective
pre·sub·or·di·nate, verb (used with object), pre·sub·or·di·nat·ed, pre·sub·or·di·nat·ing.
self-sub·or·di·nat·ing, adjective
un·sub·or·di·nate, adjective
un·sub·or·di·na·tive, adjective
Synonyms
2. ancillary. 8. inferior, subject. 9. lower, reduce.
2. ancillary. 8. inferior, subject. 9. lower, reduce.
Antonyms
2. superior; primary.
2. superior; primary.
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.
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Link To subordinate
Collins
World English Dictionary
| subordinate | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | of lesser order or importance |
| 2. | under the authority or control of another: a subordinate functionary |
| —n | |
| 3. | a person or thing that is subordinate |
| —vb (usually foll by to) | |
| 4. | to put in a lower rank or position (than) |
| 5. | to make subservient: to subordinate mind to heart |
| [C15: from Medieval Latin subordināre, from Latin | |
| sub'ordinately | |
| —adv | |
| subordi'nation | |
| —n | |
| sub'ordinateness | |
| —n | |
| sub'ordinative | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
subordinate
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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
He admits that he finds it impossible to subordinate his wishes to those of someone else.
The group in power takes cultural aspects of a subordinate community out of context and uses them how they see fit.
The resultant quality of life is always subordinate to the chief aim of prolonging it.
The business of government in the villages is conducted by subordinate chiefs, who are appointed by him.
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