Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Subordination \Sub*or`di*na"tion\, n. [Cf. F. subordination.]
   1. The act of subordinating, placing in a lower order, or
      subjecting.

   2. The quality or state of being subordinate or inferior to
      an other; inferiority of rank or dignity; subjection.

            Natural creature having a local subordination.
                                                  --Holyday.

   3. Place of inferior rank.

            Persons who in their several subordinations would be
            obliged to follow the example of their superiors.
                                                  --Swift.

Source : WordNet®

subordination
     n 1: the state of being subordinate to something
     2: the semantic relation of being subordinate or belonging to a
        lower rank or class [syn: {hyponymy}]
     3: the grammatical relation of a modifying word or phrase to
        its head
     4: the quality of obedient submissiveness [ant: {insubordination}]
     5: the act of mastering or subordinating someone [syn: {mastery}]