I. ]s]iv, ]ēv also ]z] or ]əv adjective
Etymology: Latin subvers us (past. participle of subvertere ) + English -ive
: tending to subvert : having a tendency to overthrow, upset, or destroy
hypocrisy is a vice subversive of manhood
especially : intended to cause the overthrow of a government by unlawful means
• sub·ver·sive·ly ]ə̇vlē, -li adverb
• sub·ver·sive·ness ]ivnə̇s, ]ēv- also ]əv- noun -es
II. noun
( -s )
: a person engaged in subversive activities or planning or attempting to subvert legally constituted authority especially by the employment of unconstitutional means