n.
Pronunciation: s ə b- ' v ə r-zh ə n, -sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin subversion-, subversio, from Latin subvertere
Date: 14th century
1 : the act of subverting : the state of being subverted especially : a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working secretly from within
2 obsolete : a cause of overthrow or destruction
– sub · ver · sion · ary \ -zh ə - ˌ ner- ē , -sh ə - \ adjective
– sub · ver · sive \ - ' v ə r-siv, -ziv \ adjective or noun
– sub · ver · sive · ly adverb
– sub · ver · sive · ness noun