anti-submarine
|an-ti-sub-ma-rine|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.səˈmɪr.ɪn/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.səˈmɑːr.iːn/
against submarines
Etymology
'anti-submarine' is a compound formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek anti- 'against') and 'submarine' (from Latin 'sub-' meaning 'under' + 'marinus' meaning 'of the sea').
'submarine' entered English via Latin 'submarinus' through Old French and Middle English; the compound 'anti-submarine' developed in modern English usage in the 20th century alongside the rise of submarine warfare and technologies.
Initially a straightforward compound meaning 'against submarines', it came to be used both as an adjective describing equipment or tactics and as a noun referring to specific weapons, vessels, or the field of anti-submarine warfare.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a weapon, vessel, aircraft, device, or operation intended to detect, attack, or defend against submarines (often used as shorthand for 'anti-submarine warfare' or an 'anti-submarine weapon').
The destroyer was fitted with new anti-submarine equipment.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
designed for or relating to the detection, attack, or defence against submarines.
The navy deployed several anti-submarine vessels to the area.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/24 17:46