SUBDUING

Verb

subduing

present participle of subdue

Source: Wiktionary


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



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Word of the Day

31 May 2025

AMATORY

(adjective) expressive of or exciting sexual love or romance; “her amatory affairs”; “amorous glances”; “a romantic adventure”; “a romantic moonlight ride”


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Coffee Trivia

Decaffeinated coffee is not caffeine-free. Studies from the National Institute of Health (US) have shown that virtually all decaf coffee types contain caffeine. A 236-ml (8-oz) cup of decaf coffee contains up to 7 mg of caffeine, whereas a regular cup provided 70-140 mg.

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