subject-centred
|sub-ject-cent-red|
🇺🇸
/ˈsʌbdʒɪktˌsɛn.tɚd/
🇬🇧
/ˈsʌbdʒɪktˌsɛn.təd/
centred on the subject
Etymology
'subject-centred' is a compound of 'subject' and the adjective 'centred' (from 'centre'). 'subject' originates from Latin 'subjectus' (from 'subicere'), where 'sub-' meant 'under' and 'jacere/icere' meant 'to throw/put'. 'centre' originates from Latin 'centrum' (via Old French 'centre').
'subject' came into English via Old French/Latin as Middle English 'subject' from Latin 'subiectus'/'subicere'; 'centre' passed from Latin 'centrum' into Old French 'centre' and then into Middle English as 'centre'. The adjective 'centred' is formed from 'centre' + '-ed'. The compound 'subject-centred' developed in modern English usage to describe something oriented around the 'subject' element.
Initially, the components referred respectively to 'that which is placed under or subordinate' (for 'subject') and 'the middle point' (for 'centre'), but combined as 'subject-centred' the meaning evolved into 'focused on the subject (matter or grammatical subject)'; the components' original literal senses are less salient in the modern compound.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
organized around the subject matter or discipline itself rather than around the needs or experiences of learners; focusing on content, topics, or academic subjects.
The school's curriculum is subject-centred, with separate courses for history, science, and mathematics.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
(less common, linguistic/analytic) Giving prominence to the grammatical or topical subject of a sentence or discussion.
In some analyses the argument is described as subject-centred, since it constantly returns to the grammatical subject.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/03 20:23