— subordinately , adv. — subordinateness , n. — subordination, subordinacy /seuh bawr"dn euh see/ , n. — subordinative /seuh bawr"dn ay'tiv, -bawr"dn euh-/ , adj.
adj. , n. /seuh bawr"dn it/ ; v. /seuh bawr"dn ayt'/ , adj., n., v., subordinated, subordinating .
adj.
1. placed in or belonging to a lower order or rank.
2. of less importance; secondary.
3. subject to or under the authority of a superior.
4. subservient or inferior.
5. subject; dependent.
6. Gram.
a. acting as a modifier, as when I finished, which is subordinate to They were glad in They were glad when I finished.
b. noting or pertaining to a subordinating conjunction.
7. Obs. submissive.
n.
8. a subordinate person or thing.
v.t.
9. to place in a lower order or rank.
10. to make secondary (usually fol. by to ): to subordinate work to pleasure.
11. to make subject, subservient, or dependent (usually fol. by to ): to subordinate passion to reason.
[ 1425-75; late ME (adj.) subordinatus ptp. of subordinare to subordinate, equiv. to L sub- SUB- + ordin- (s. of ordo ) rank, order + -atus -ATE 1 ]
Syn. 2. ancillary. 8. inferior, subject. 9. lower, reduce.
Ant. 2. superior; primary.