subordination

American  

[suh-bawr-dn-ey-shuhn] / səˌbɔr dnˈeɪ ʃən /

Sometimes subordinacy

noun

1. the act of placing in a lower rank or position.

   The refusal to allow women to be educated was part of society's subordination of women to men.

2. the act of subordinating, or of making dependent, secondary, or subservient.

3. the condition of being subordinated, or made dependent, secondary, or subservient.

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subordination Cultural  

1. The use of expressions that make one element of a sentence dependent on another. In the following sentence, the first (italicized) clause (also called a subordinate clause) is subordinate to the second clause: “Despite all efforts toward a peaceful settlement of the dispute, war finally broke out.” (Compare coordination, dependent clause, and independent clause.)

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Other Word Forms

• nonsubordination noun
• presubordination noun
• self-subordination noun

Etymology

Origin of subordination

First recorded in 1425–75; from Late Latin subordination-, stem of subordinatio, equivalent to Medieval Latin subōrdināt(us), past participle of subōrdināre subordinate ( def. ) + -iō -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

Just as you revert to being about nine years old when you go home to visit your parents, you revert to total subordination when you are in the presence of your former CEO.

From Literature

Mr. Wertman writes that when lenders demand “unanimous consent on subordination, it’s a signal that confidence in collateral integrity is faltering.”

From The Wall Street Journal

When sophisticated creditors start demanding unanimous consent on subordination, it’s a signal that confidence in collateral integrity is faltering.

From The Wall Street Journal

One of Sheinbaum’s mottos: “Collaboration, coordination, without subordination. ... Sovereignty is not negotiable.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We negotiate as equals, there is no subordination here, because we are a great nation,” she told the Associated Press.

From Salon