subaltern

[ suhb-awl-tern suhb-uhl-turn ]

adjective

1. lower in rank; subordinate:

   a subaltern employee.

2. British Military. noting a commissioned officer below the rank of captain.
3. Logic.
   1. denoting the relation of one proposition to another when the first proposition is implied by the second but the second is not implied by the first.
   2. (in Aristotelian logic) denoting the relation of a particular proposition to a universal proposition having the same subject, predicate, and quality.
   3. of or relating to a proposition having either of these relations to another.

noun

1. a person who has a subordinate position.
2. British Military. a commissioned officer below the rank of captain.
3. Logic. a subaltern proposition.

subaltern

/ ˈsʌbəltən /

noun

1. a commissioned officer below the rank of captain in certain armies, esp the British
2. a person of inferior rank or position
3. logic
   1. the relation of one proposition to another when the first is implied by the second, esp the relation of a particular to a universal proposition
   2. ( as modifier )

      a subaltern relation

adjective

1. of inferior position or rank

Other Words From

• subal·terni·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of subaltern¹

1575–85; < Late Latin subalternus, equivalent to sub- sub- + alternus alternate

Word History and Origins

Origin of subaltern¹

C16: from Late Latin subalternus, from Latin sub- + alternus alternate, from alter the other

Example Sentences

What better hap could a cavalry subaltern desire than such a fight under such conditions?

From Project Gutenberg

The subaltern flew up the narrow stairway that led to the room of the prisoner, and demanded the meaning of the outcry.

From Project Gutenberg

Where before he had been a subaltern not always even a wage-earner—now all in a moment he had been transformed into a high chief.

From Project Gutenberg

And hastily taking a paper from the hands of a subaltern, he returned to his place within the screen.

From Project Gutenberg

At his return to Dresden he carried a Musket, and afterwards pass'd through all the subaltern Degrees.

From Project Gutenberg