We explain what something subordinate is and what the origin of the term is. Also, its various meanings and examples in sentences.
What is something contingent?
We say that something is subordinate to something else when it is subordinate to it, that is, when it depends on something else or if it is an action, its fulfillment depends on it . Therefore, the verb subordinate means to subject to a relationship of subordination, which can mean domination and violent submission, or simply some form of dependence or causal relationship.
The word subordinate comes from Latin suppeditareand is made up of the voices sub- (“below”) and pedes (“foot soldier”), so it originally meant something like “reinforce with infantry troops” or “put a troop of infantry under someone’s command.” This sense seems to have been preserved over time, to the extent that the infantry troops are subordinate to their officers, that is, subordinated to their command.
The meaning expressed when we say that something is subordinate to something else, however, can be more direct and violent, or can simply be logical and formal .
In the first case, the word ends up being synonymous with “dominated”, “subjugated”, “subjugated” or “subjected”, while in the second case it is rather synonymous with “dependent on” or “conditioned to”. On the contrary, they are antonyms of this word: “independent”, “liberated” or “detached”.
Some examples of using this word in a sentence are the following:
- The success of our project is subordinated to the discipline with which we undertake it.
- Our victory will be subordinated to the effort we make on the field.
- We do not accept that national interests continue subordinated to foreign forces!
- The life of the slaves was subordinated to the whims of their masters.
- The price of the goods is subordinated to fluctuations in domestic demand.
It is important to note that, to use this word correctly, we must always add what the thing is subject to, in the following way: “this is subordinated to that”.
References
- “Supéditar” in the Dictionary of the Language of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Consistent” in Wiktionary.
- “Etymology of Supeditar” in the Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary.
