subordinate
nounEtymology From Middle English subordinat, from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, past participle of subōrdināre, from sub- + ōrdināre (“to order”).
1
One who is subordinate.
2
A hyponym.
subordinate
adjUK /səˈbɔːdɪnət/ · CA, US /səˈbɔɹdɪnət/
Etymology From Middle English subordinat, from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, past participle of subōrdināre, from sub- + ōrdināre (“to order”).
1
Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.
- The several kinds […] and subordinate species of each are easily known.1695, John Woodward, “(please specify the page)”, in An Essay toward a Natural History of the Earth: And Terrestrial Bodies, Especially Minerals: […], London: […] Ric[hard] Wilkin […], →OCLC:
2
Submissive or inferior to, or controlled by authority.
- November 9, 1662, Robert South, Of the Creation of Man in the Image of God It was subordinate, not enslaved, to the understanding.
3
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Of a clause dependent on and either modifying or complementing the main clause
- In the sentence “The barbecue finished before John arrived”, the subordinate clause “before John arrived” specifies the time of the main clause, “The barbecue finished”.
4
Descending in a regular series.