Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Subordinate \Sub*or"di*nate\, n.
   One who stands in order or rank below another; --
   distinguished from a principal. --Milton.

Subordinate \Sub*or"di*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   {Subordinated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Subordinating}.]
   1. To place in a lower order or class; to make or consider as
      of less value or importance; as, to subordinate one
      creature to another.

   2. To make subject; to subject or subdue; as, to subordinate
      the passions to reason. -- {Sub*or"di*nate*ly}, adv. --
      {Sub*or"di*nate*ness}, n.

Subordinate \Sub*or"di*nate\, a. [Pref. sub + L. ordinatus, p.
   p. of ordinare to set in order, to arrange. See {Ordain}.]
   1. Placed in a lower order, class, or rank; holding a lower
      or inferior position.

            The several kinds and subordinate species of each
            are easily distinguished.             --Woodward.

   2. Inferior in order, nature, dignity, power, importance, or
      the like.

            It was subordinate, not enslaved, to the
            understanding.                        --South.

Source : WordNet®

subordinate
     adj 1: lower in rank or importance [syn: {low-level}] [ant: {dominant}]
     2: subject or submissive to authority or the control of
        another; "a subordinate kingdom" [ant: {insubordinate}]
     3: of a clause; unable to stand alone syntactically as a
        complete sentence; "a subordinate (or dependent) clause
        functions as a noun or adjective or adverb within a
        sentence" [syn: {dependent}] [ant: {independent}]
     4: inferior in rank or status; "the junior faculty"; "a lowly
        corporal"; "petty officialdom"; "a subordinate
        functionary" [syn: {junior-grade}, {inferior}, {lower}, {lower-ranking},
         {lowly}, {petty(a)}, {secondary}, {subaltern}]

subordinate
     n 1: an assistant subject to the authority or control of another
          [syn: {subsidiary}, {underling}, {foot soldier}]
     2: a word that is more specific than a given word [syn: {hyponym},
         {subordinate word}]

subordinate
     v 1: rank or order as less important or consider of less value;
          "Art is sometimes subordinated to Science in these
          schools"
     2: make subordinate, dependent, or subservient; "Our wishes
        have to be subordinated to that of our ruler" [syn: {subdue}]