subordinateness

sub·or·di·nate  (s-bôrdn-t)

adj.

1. Belonging to a lower or inferior class or rank; secondary.

2. Subject to the authority or control of another.

n.

One that is subordinate.

tr.v. (s-bôrdn-t) sub·or·di·nat·ed, sub·or·di·nat·ing, sub·or·di·nates

1. To put in a lower or inferior rank or class.

2. To make subservient; subdue.

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[Middle English subordinat, from Medieval Latin subrdintus, past participle of subrdinre, to put in a lower rank : Latin sub-, sub- + Latin rdinre, to set in order (from rd, rdin-, order; see ar- in Indo-European roots).]

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sub·ordi·nate·ly adv.

sub·ordi·nate·ness, sub·ordi·nation (-nshn) n.

sub·ordi·native (-ntv) adj.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

subordinateness - secondary importance subsidiarity inferiority, lower rank, lower status - the state of being inferior handmaid, handmaiden, servant - in a subordinate position; "theology should be the handmaiden of ethics"; "the state cannot be a servant of the church" junior status - in a junior position subservientness, subservience - in a subservient state