sub

¹

[suhb]

noun

1. a submarine.

2. a substitute.

   We've got a sub in English this week because our teacher's home with the flu.

3. a submarine sandwich.

4. a submissive in a BDSM sexual encounter or relationship.

5. a subcontractor.

6. a sublieutenant.

7. a subordinate.

8. a subaltern.

9. British.,  an advance against one's wages, especially one granted as a subsistence allowance.

10. Photography.,  a substratum.

verb (used without object)

subbed, subbing 

1. to act as a substitute for another.

2. to act as the submissive partner in a BDSM sexual encounter or relationship.

verb (used with object)

subbed, subbing 

1. Photography.,  to coat (a film or plate) with a substratum.

SUB

²

abbreviation

1. supplemental unemployment benefits.

sub.

³

abbreviation

1. subordinated.

2. subscription.

3. substitute.

4. suburb.

5. suburban.

6. subway.

sub-

⁴

1. a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin (subject; subtract; subvert; subsidy ); on this model, freely attached to elements of any origin and used with the meaning “under,” “below,” “beneath” (subalpine; substratum ), “slightly,” “imperfectly,” “nearly” (subcolumnar; subtropical ), “secondary,” “subordinate” (subcommittee; subplot ).

2. Chemistry.

   1. a prefix indicating a basic compound.

      subacetate; subcarbonate; subnitrate.

   2. a prefix indicating that the element is present in a relatively small proportion, i.e., in a low oxidation state.

      subchloride; suboxide.

sub

¹

/ sʌb /

noun

1. short for several words beginning with sub- See subaltern subeditor submarine subordinate subscription substandard substitute substratum

2. Formal term: subsistence allowance. informal,  an advance payment of wages or salary

verb

1. (intr) to serve as a substitute

2. informal,  (intr) to act as a substitute (for)

3. informal,  to grant or receive (an advance payment of wages or salary)

4. informal,  (tr) short for subedit

5. (tr) photog to apply a substratum to (a film or plate base)

sub.

²

abbreviation

1. subeditor

2. subito (in music)

3. subscription

4. substitute

sub-

³

prefix

1. situated under or beneath

   subterranean

2. secondary in rank; subordinate

   subeditor

3. falling short of; less than or imperfectly

   subarctic

   subhuman

4. forming a subdivision or subordinate part of a whole

   subcommittee

5. 1. indicating that a compound contains a relatively small proportion of a specified element

      suboxide

   2. indicating that a salt is basic salt

      subacetate

sub–

1. A prefix that means “underneath or lower” (as in subsoil), “a subordinate or secondary part of something else” (as in subphylum.), or “less than completely” (as in subtropical.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of sub¹

By shortening of words prefixed with sub-

Origin of sub²

< Latin, combining form representing sub (preposition); akin to Greek hypó; hypo-

Word History and Origins

Origin of sub¹

from Latin sub

Example Sentences

The sub was to approach an enemy ship on the surface, then dive under her, and surface again beyond her on the other side.

Read more on Literature

After Bethell was dismissed batting for the Lions, he acted as a sub fielder for England.

Read more on BBC

Penn State, sub.-500, on an interim coach and playing for pride, proved to be impressively tough.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Driven by two fission reactors, this sub was a major advance for the Soviets.

Read more on Literature

For U.S. shale companies, a sustained time period of sub-$50 prices would make it very difficult for most to drill profitably, said Gildea.

Read more on MarketWatch