[sub.or.di.nate] adj [ME subordinat, fr. ML subordinatus, pp. of subordinare to subordinate, fr. L sub- + ordinare to order--more at ordain] (15c) 1: placed in or occupying a lower class, rank, or position: inferior
2: submissive to or controlled by authority 3 a: of, relating to, or constituting a clause that functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb b: subordinating -- sub.or.di.nate.ly adv -- sub.or.di.nate.ness n
[2]subordinate n (1640): one that is subordinate [3]sub.or.di.nate vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [ML subordinatus] (1597) 1: to make subject or subservient
2: to treat as of less value or importance "stylist ... whose crystalline prose ~s content to form --Susan Heath" -- sub.or.di.na.tion n -- sub.or.di.na.tive adj