Where does “subordinate” come from?
Subordinate comes from Middle English subordinat, from Medieval Latin subordinatus, the past participle of Latin subordino, meaning to place under, formed from Latin sub- (under) combined with ordinare (to order), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to arrange or fit.
subordinate (English): Placed in a lower class, rank, or position;...
Definitions
- Placed in a lower class, rank, or position;...
Ancestry of “subordinate”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | subordinat | — |
| 2 | Medieval Latin | subordinatus | |
| 3 | Latin | subordino | I subordinate |
| 4 | Latin | sub- | under, sub |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | upó | under, below |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃ewp- | — |