adj. 1. Belonging to a lower or inferior class or rank; secondary. 2. Subject to the authority or control of another. n. One that is subordinate. tr.v. (sə-bôrdn-āt′) sub·or·di·nat·ed, sub·or·di·nat·ing, sub·or·di·nates 1. To put in a lower or inferior rank or class. 2. To make subservient; subdue. [Middle English subordinat, from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, past participle of subōrdināre, to put in a lower rank : Latin sub-, sub- + Latin ōrdināre, to set in order (from ōrdō, ōrdin-, order; see ar- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] sub·ordi·nate·ly adv. sub·ordi·nate·ness, sub·or′di·nation (-nāshən) n. sub·ordi·na′tive (-nə′tĭv) adj. |
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