subordinate

Etymology

From Middle English subordinat, from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, past participle of subōrdināre, from sub- + ōrdināre (“to order”).

adj

1. Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.
2. Submissive or inferior to, or controlled by authority.
   November 9, 1662, Robert South, Of the Creation of Man in the Image of God It was subordinate, not enslaved, to the understanding.
3. (grammar, of a clause, not comparable) dependent on and either modifying or complementing the main clause
   In the sentence “The barbecue finished before John arrived”, the subordinate clause “before John arrived” specifies the time of the main clause, “The barbecue finished”.
4. Descending in a regular series.

noun

1. (countable) One who is subordinate.

verb

1. (transitive) To make subservient.
2. (transitive) To treat as of less value or importance.
3. (transitive, finance) To make of lower priority in order of payment in bankruptcy.