v.
Pronunciation: s ə b- ' dü, - ' dyü
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: sub · dued ; sub · du · ing
Etymology: Middle English sodewen, subduen, from Anglo-French soduire, subdure to lead astray, overcome, arrest (influenced in form and meaning by Latin subdere to subject), from Latin subducere to withdraw, remove stealthily
Date: 14th century
1 : to conquer and bring into subjection : VANQUISH
2 : to bring under control especially by an exertion of the will : CURB < subdued my foolish fears>
3 : to bring (land) under cultivation
4 : to reduce the intensity or degree of : tone down
synonyms see CONQUER
– sub · du · er noun