adj., n., & v.
--adj. (usu. foll. by to) of inferior importance or rank; secondary, subservient.
--n. a person working under another's control or orders.
--v.tr. (usu. foll. by to)
1. make subordinate; treat or regard as of minor importance.
2 make subservient.
Phrases and idioms:
subordinate clause a clause serving as an adjective, adverb, or noun in a main sentence because of its position or a preceding conjunction.
Derivatives:
subordinately adv. subordination n. subordinative adj.
Etymology: med.L subordinare, subordinat- (as SUB-, L ordinare ordain)