I. sə-ˈbȯl-tərn, especially Brit ˈsə-bəl-tərn adjective
Etymology: Late Latin subalternus, from Latin sub- + alternus alternate, from alter other (of two) — more at alter
Date: 1570
1. : particular with reference to a related universal proposition
“some S is P” is a subaltern proposition to “all S is P”
2. : subordinate
II. noun
Date: 1605
1. : a person holding a subordinate position ; specifically : a junior officer (as in the British army)
2. : a particular proposition that follows immediately from a universal