Sub , n. A subordinate; a subaltern.
[Colloq.]
Sub- (?). [L. sub under, below; akin to Gr. &?;, Skr. upa to, on, under, over. Cf. Hypo-, Super- .]
1. A prefix signifying under, below, beneath, and hence often, in an inferior position or degree, in an imperfect or partial state, as in subscribe, substruct, subserve, subject, subordinate, subacid, subastringent, subgranular, suborn. Sub- in Latin compounds often becomes
sum- before m, sur before r, and regularly becomes
suc-, suf- , sug-, and sup- before c, f, g, and p
respectively. Before
c, p, and t it sometimes takes form
sus- (by the dropping of b from a collateral form,
subs-).
2. (Chem.) A prefix denoting that the ingredient (of a compound) signified by the term to which it is prefixed,is present in only a small
proportion, or less than the
normal amount; as, subsulphide, suboxide, etc. Prefixed to the name of a salt it is equivalent to basic; as, subacetate or basic acetate.
[Obsoles.]
Hear it pronounced