/ səbˈsɪdiəri; NAmE -dieri/ adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
subsidiary (to sth) connected with sth but less important than it
SYN additional :
subsidiary information
a subsidiary matter
( BrE )
I'm taking History as a subsidiary subject (= one that is not studied in as great depth as a main subject) .
2.
( of a business company ) owned or controlled by another company
■ noun
( pl. -ies ) a business company that is owned or controlled by another larger company
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense serving to help or supplement ): from Latin subsidiarius , from subsidium support, assistance.