English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English subordinat, from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, past participle of subōrdināre, from sub- + ōrdināre (to order).

Pronunciation edit

Adjective and Noun
Verb

Adjective edit

subordinate (comparative more subordinate, superlative most subordinate)

  1. Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.
    • 1695, John Woodward, “(please specify the page)”, in An Essay toward a Natural History of the Earth: And Terrestrial Bodies, Especially Minerals: [], London: [] Ric[hard] Wilkin [], →OCLC:
      The several kinds [] and subordinate species of each are easily known.
    Synonym: lesser
    Antonyms: superior, superordinate
  2. Submissive or inferior to, or controlled by authority.
    • November 9, 1662, Robert South, Of the Creation of Man in the Image of God
      It was subordinate, not enslaved, to the understanding.
    Antonym: insubordinate
  3. (grammar, of a clause, not comparable) dependent on and either modifying or complementing the main clause
    In the sentence “The barbecue finished before John arrived”, the subordinate clause “before John arrived” specifies the time of the main clause, “The barbecue finished”.
    Synonym: dependent
    Antonyms: independent, main
  4. Descending in a regular series.

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

Noun edit

subordinate (plural subordinates)

  1. (countable) One who is subordinate.
    Synonyms: inferior, junior, report, underling, understrapper
    Antonyms: boss, commander, leader, manager, superior, supervisor

Translations edit

Verb edit

subordinate (third-person singular simple present subordinates, present participle subordinating, simple past and past participle subordinated)

  1. (transitive) To make subservient.
  2. (transitive) To treat as of less value or importance.
    Synonyms: belittle, denigrate
  3. (transitive, finance) To make of lower priority in order of payment in bankruptcy.

Translations edit

See also edit

Anagrams edit

Italian edit

Etymology 1 edit

Adjective edit

subordinate

  1. feminine plural of subordinato

Participle edit

subordinate f pl

  1. feminine plural of subordinato

Etymology 2 edit

Verb edit

subordinate

  1. inflection of subordinare:
    1. second-person plural present indicative
    2. second-person plural imperative

Latin edit

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

subōrdināte

  1. second-person plural present active imperative of subōrdinō

Spanish edit

Verb edit

subordinate

  1. second-person singular voseo imperative of subordinar combined with te