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sub-

pref.

1. Below; under; beneath: subsoil.

a. Subordinate; secondary: subplot.

b. Subdivision: subregion.

3. Less than completely or normally; nearly; almost: subhuman.

[Middle English, from Latin, from sub, under; see upo in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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