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sub·or·di·nate
[adj., n. suh-bawr-dn-it; v. suh-bawr-dn-eyt] adjective, noun, verb, -nat·ed, -nat·ing. 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.
EXPANDsubject; 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.
COLLAPSEObsolete. submissive.
noun
8.
a subordinate person or thing.
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Subordinate
is always a great word to know.
So is en dash. Does it mean:
| a mark (‸) made in written or printed matter to show the place where something is to be inserted. |
| a dash one en long. |
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
EXPANDnon·sub·or·di·nat·ing, adjective
pre·sub·or·di·nate, verb (used with object), -nat·ed, -nat·ing.
self-sub·or·di·nat·ing, adjective
un·sub·or·di·nate, adjective
un·sub·or·di·na·tive, adjective
COLLAPSESynonyms
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. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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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
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
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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