SUBDUED

dim, subdued

(adjective) lacking in light; not bright or harsh; “a dim light beside the bed”; “subdued lights and soft music”

soft, subdued

(adjective) not brilliant or glaring; “the moon cast soft shadows”; “soft pastel colors”; “subdued lighting”

hushed, muted, subdued, quiet

(adjective) in a softened tone; “hushed voices”; “muted trumpets”; “a subdued whisper”; “a quiet reprimand”

subdued, low-keyed, low-key

(adjective) restrained in style or quality; “a little masterpiece of low-keyed eloquence”

subdued

(adjective) quieted and brought under control; “children were subdued and silent”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Adjective

subdued (comparative more subdued, superlative most subdued)

Conquered; overpowered; crushed; submissive.

Not glaring in color; soft and light in tone.

Verb

subdued

simple past tense and past participle of subdue

He subdued the dog yesterday.

Source: Wiktionary

Sub*dued", a.

1. Conquered; overpowered; crushed; submissive; mild.

2. Not glaring in color; soft in tone.

SUBDUE

Sub*due", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Subdued; p. pr. & vb. n. Subduing.] Etym: [OE. soduen, OF. sosduire to seduce, L. subtus below (fr. sub under) + ducere to lead. See Duke, and cf. Subduct.]

1. To bring under; to conquer by force or the exertion of superior power, and bring into permanent subjection; to reduce under dominion; to vanquish. I will subdue all thine enemies. 1 Chron. xvii. 10.

2. To overpower so as to disable from further resistance; to crush. Nothing could have subdued nature To such a lowness, but his unkind daughters. Shak. If aught . . . were worthy to subdue The soul of man. Milton.

3. To destroy the force of; to overcome; as, medicines subdue a fever.

4. To render submissive; to bring under command; to reduce to mildness or obedience; to tame; as, to subdue a stubborn child; to subdue the temper or passions.

5. To overcome, as by persuasion or other mild means; as, to subdue opposition by argument or entreaties.

6. To reduce to tenderness; to melt; to soften; as, to subdue ferocity by tears.

7. To make mellow; to break, as land; also, to destroy, as weeds.

8. To reduce the intensity or degree of; to tone down; to soften; as, to subdue the brilliancy of colors.

Syn.

– To conquer; overpower; overcome; surmount; vanquish. See Conquer.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition