subordinating
|sub-or-di-nat-ing|
🇺🇸
/səˈbɔrdəneɪt/
🇬🇧
/səˈbɔːdɪneɪt/
(subordinate)
lower in rank
Etymology
'subordinate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'subordinare', where 'sub-' meant 'under' and 'ordinare' meant 'to put in order'.
'subordinate' changed from Medieval Latin 'subordinatus' (past participle of 'subordinare') and appeared in Middle English (via Old French forms such as 'subordonner'), eventually becoming the modern English word 'subordinate'.
Initially, it meant 'arranged under or placed below in order', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'lower in rank or secondary' and the verb sense 'to place under the authority of'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present participle form of 'subordinate'.
By subordinating his own wishes, he helped the team achieve its goal.
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Adjective 1
lower in rank, importance, or position; placed under the authority of something else.
They held subordinating positions within the organization.
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Adjective 2
in grammar: used to describe conjunctions or forms that introduce a subordinate clause (e.g., 'because', 'although').
English has several subordinating conjunctions like 'although' and 'because'.
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Last updated: 2025/10/22 02:11