səˌbȯ(r)d ə nˈāshən sometimes -də̇ˈnā- noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin subordination-, subordinatio, from subordinatus (past participle of subordinare ) + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the act of subordinating (as by making secondary or subject): as
a. : arrangement or classification into grades or ranks from highest to lowest
b. : the doctrine or practice under the law of bankruptcy and equity by which particular claims under the equities may not be paid before others or before sufficient assets are available to first meet such others or by which particular claims are allowed conditionally rather than wholly disallowed
c. : expression in the form of a subordinate clause
d. : arrangement of arches in architectural orders
2.
a. : the quality or state of being subordinate to another : inferiority of rank or dignity
b. : the quality or state of being subordinate to authority : obedient submission — opposed to insubordination
3.
a. : an arrangement produced by an act of subordination
b. obsolete : grade , rank ; also : a position of inferior status