subordinate

[adj., n. suh-bawr-dn-it; v. suh-bawr-dn-eyt] /adj., n. səˈbɔr dn ɪt; v. səˈbɔr dnˌeɪt/
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.
  1. acting as a modifier, as when I finished, which is subordinate to They were glad in They were glad when I finished.
  2. noting or pertaining to a subordinating conjunction.
7.
Obsolete, submissive.
noun
8.
a subordinate person or thing.
verb (used with object), subordinated, subordinating.
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
Related forms
subordinately, adverb
subordinateness, noun
subordination, subordinacy
[suh-bawr-dn-uh-see] /səˈbɔr dn ə si/ (Show IPA), noun
subordinative
[suh-bawr-dn-ey-tiv, -bawr-dn-uh-] /səˈbɔr dnˌeɪ tɪv, -ˈbɔr dn ə-/ (Show IPA), adjective
nonsubordinate, adjective
nonsubordinating, adjective
presubordinate, verb (used with object), presubordinated, presubordinating.
self-subordinating, adjective
unsubordinate, adjective
unsubordinative, adjective
Synonyms
2. ancillary. 8. inferior, subject. 9. lower, reduce.
Antonyms
2. superior; primary.
Examples from the web for subordinate
  • Subsequent measurements six months later allowed the researchers to compare growth rates of dominant and subordinate females.
  • In a frustrated mood, he frequently hits out at a subordinate who comes to greet him.
  • Silverbacks at times neglect subordinate females in favor of the more dominant and senior ones.
  • These bouts determine hierarchies among males, and dominant males mate more often than subordinate ones do.
  • Videos don't have to be subordinate advertising material for albums, and dance doesn't have to be confined to the theater.
  • By the same token, successful convergence means having the willingness to subordinate your media expertise instead of imposing it.
  • The executive functions of such universities are subordinate to the legislative functions.
  • At every step, hiring committees remind us of our subordinate position in the academic hierarchy.
  • Provides advice and counsel to staff and subordinate managers on work and policy matters.
  • He admits that he finds it impossible to subordinate his wishes to those of someone else.
British Dictionary definitions for subordinate

subordinate

adjective (səˈbɔːdɪnɪt)
1.
of lesser order or importance
2.
under the authority or control of another: a subordinate functionary
noun (səˈbɔːdɪnɪt)
3.
a person or thing that is subordinate
verb (səˈbɔːdɪˌneɪt) (transitive) usually foll by to
4.
to put in a lower rank or position (than)
5.
to make subservient: to subordinate mind to heart
Derived Forms
subordinately, adverb
subordination, subordinateness, noun
subordinative, adjective
Word Origin
C15: from Medieval Latin subordināre, from Latin sub- + ordō rank
Word Origin and History for subordinate
adj.

mid-15c., from Medieval Latin subordinatus "placed in a lower order, made subject," past participle of subordinare "place in a lower order," from Latin sub "under" (see sub-) + ordinare "arrange" (see ordain). Related: Subordinance; subordinant.

v.

"to bring into a subordinate position," 1590s; see subordinate (adj.). Related: Subordinated; subordinating.