sub-

under; up from under; subordinate or lesser

Forms

sub-
suc- — Used before c in Latin.
suf- — Used before f in Latin.
sug- — Used before g in Latin.
sum- — Used before m in Latin.
sup- — Used before p in Latin.
sur- — Used before r in Latin.
su- — Used before s in some Latin compounds.
sus- — A historical Latin variant associated with the longer form subs-.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *upo, ‘under; up from below.’

Note

An upward action can start underneath something, so ‘under’ and ‘up’ need not conflict.

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noun

subscription

suhb-SKRIP-shuhn/səbˈskrɪpʃn/

An arrangement to receive something regularly or access a service, usually for a fee.

The paid subscription brings successive magazine deliveries to the recipient.

Three identical plain magazine envelopes arrive in sequence beside coins paid in advance, a small calendar-style grid without letters suggests recurring paid delivery, no text.

Etymology

subLatinunder; up from under; subordinate or lesser

+scriptLatinwrite

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

A subscription was originally writing underneath a document, especially a signature. Signing became a formal agreement to make payments—the commitment behind an arrangement to receive something regularly.

In context

Ensemble1:39

Just like with Netflix, even if you don't watch anything, you're still paying your subscription, right?

How Health Insurance Works | What is a Deductible? Coinsurance? Copay? Premium?

More examples

I renew my newspaper subscription every January.
This subscription gives us unlimited access to the software.
You can cancel both subscriptions online.

Forms

subscription · subscriptions

subscribe verb — Arrange for regular delivery or service access.

subscriber noun — Someone who receives something through a subscription.

Similar words

membership: Emphasizes belonging to an organization, often with access benefits.
plan: Emphasizes a service's pricing and terms rather than ongoing enrollment.