I. sə-ˈbȯr-də-nət, -ˈbȯrd-nət adjective
Etymology: Middle English subordinat, from Medieval Latin subordinatus, past participle of subordinare to subordinate, from Latin sub- + ordinare to order — more at ordain
Date: 15th century
1. : placed in or occupying a lower class, rank, or position : inferior
a subordinate officer
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 adverb
• sub·or·di·nate·ness noun
II. noun
Date: 1640
: one that is subordinate
III. sə-ˈbȯr-də-ˌnāt transitive verb
( -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 -ˌbȯr-də-ˈnā-shən noun
• sub·or·di·na·tive -ˈbȯr-də-ˌnā-tiv adjective