antisubmarine
|an-ti-sub-ma-rine|
/ˌæntiˈsʌbməriːn/
against submarines
Etymology
'antisubmarine' originates from the prefix 'anti-' and the word 'submarine'. 'Anti-' ultimately comes from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against', and 'submarine' ultimately comes from Latin 'submarinus' where 'sub-' meant 'under' and 'marinus' meant 'of the sea'.
'antisubmarine' arose in modern English by combining the prefix 'anti-' with the noun 'submarine' (English < Middle French/Latin 'submarinus'). The hyphenated form 'anti-submarine' is an intermediate written form; over time the compound has also appeared as the single word 'antisubmarine'.
Initially the components meant 'against' + 'under the sea', and the compound has broadly retained the meaning 'against submarines' (i.e., measures or things intended to oppose submarines).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a device, weapon, vessel, aircraft, or unit whose role is to detect, deter, or destroy submarines; an antisubmarine (measure or asset).
The destroyer served as an antisubmarine for the convoy.
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Adjective 1
designed for, used in, or effective against submarines; relating to antisubmarine warfare or measures.
The navy deployed antisubmarine aircraft to patrol the shipping lanes.
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Last updated: 2025/09/11 00:22