Pronunciation: s ə - ' bo ̇ r-d ə - ˌ n ā t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -nat · ed ; -nat · ing
Etymology: Medieval Latin subordinatus
Date: 1597
1 : to make subject or subservient
2 : to treat as of less value or importance <stylist ⋯ whose crystalline prose subordinate s content to form ― Susan Heath>
– sub · or · di · na · tion \ - ˌ bo ̇ r-d ə - ' n ā -sh ə n \ noun
– sub · or · di · na · tive \ - ' bo ̇ r-d ə - ˌ n ā -tiv \ adjective