Latin · prefix
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.
Words sharing this root
insufficientNot enough to meet a need or requirement.insupportableToo burdensome to be supported.presuppositionAn assumption taken for granted before reasoning or speaking.resuscitateTo restore vital functions after their failure.resuscitationThe act of restoring consciousness, breathing, or heartbeat.sojournA temporary stay in a place.souvenirAn object kept as a reminder of a place or event.subalternOccupying a subordinate position.subdivideTo divide into smaller parts.subdueTo bring force or activity under control.subjectThe person or thing receiving focused consideration.subjectUnder the influence or control of something else.subjectionThe state of being under another's control or domination.subjectiveBased on or existing within a person's own feelings or perspective.subjugateTo bring under domination or control, especially by force.subjugationThe act of bringing someone under domination or the state of being dominated.subjunctiveA verb mood presenting a situation as imagined or desired rather than as an asserted fact.sublingualLocated or administered under the tongue.submergeTo put or go completely beneath a liquid or other covering.submerseTo put or go completely under water or another liquid.submersionThe act of putting something, or the state of being, completely under water or another covering substance.submissionYielding to another's power.submissionSomething sent or presented for judgment, approval, or consideration.submitTo yield to authority, control, or force.submitTo present something for consideration or approval.subordinateDependent on something higher in rank.subordinationPlacement under the authority of something higher.subornTo persuade someone to commit an unlawful or wrongful act.subornationThe act of persuading someone to commit perjury or another wrongful act.subscribeTo agree with or support a belief or theory.subscribeTo sign up to receive or access something regularly.subscribeTo pledge or contribute money to a fund.subscriptionA commitment to contribute money to a cause or organization.subscriptionAn arrangement to receive something regularly or access a service, usually for a fee.subscriptionA signed name or statement at the end of a document.subsequentComing after something else in time or order.subservientServing the control or purposes of another.subsideTo settle downward toward a lower level.subsistTo maintain continued existence.subsistenceContinued survival with only the basic necessities of lifesubstanceMaterial that constitutes physical reality.substituteA person or thing that takes the place of another.substitutionThe act or process of replacing one thing or person with another.substrateA substance acted on by an enzyme or catalyst.substrateAn underlying material or system that supports something else.subtleDelicate or slight enough to be difficult to notice.subtletyA quality or detail that is delicate or not immediately obvious.subtractTo take an amount or part away from a total or whole.subtractionThe mathematical operation of taking one quantity away from another.suburbA residential community on the edge of or just outside a city.subversionThe undermining or overthrowing of an established system, authority, or belief.subvertTo weaken or overturn an established system or authority from within.succeedTo follow a predecessor.succeedTo achieve a desired result.successThe achievement of a desired result.successionThe ordered following of one thing by another.successiveFollowing one after another in sequence.successorA person or thing that takes another's place in a role or position.succinctExpressed briefly and clearly.succorHelp or relief for someone in hardship or distress.succubusA female demon said to visit sleeping people sexually.sufferTo endure something painful or unwelcome.sufferancePermission given without approval.sufficeBe enough for a purpose.sufficientEnough to meet a need, purpose, or standard.suffixAn element added to the end of a word, or the act of adding one.suffocateTo deprive someone of breathable air.suffocationDistress or death caused by being unable to breathe.suggestTo put an idea before someone without insisting upon it.suggestionAn idea presented for consideration.suggestionA faint sign or trace of something.summonTo call something into one's presence.summonsAn official or direct call to appear, attend, or respond.supplantTo replace someone or something by taking the place of that person or thing.supplementAn addition that completes, improves, or increases something.supplicantHumbly asking for something, or a person doing so.supplicateTo ask humbly and earnestly for help or mercy.supplicationA humble, earnest request or prayer.supplySomething available or provided to meet a need.supportSomething that holds up and prevents collapse.suppositionA belief or idea accepted as possible without certain proof.suppositoryA small solid dose of medicine inserted into a body opening to dissolve or melt.suppressTo prevent an activity from occurring or being expressed.suppressionThe act or effect of stopping or holding something back.suppurateTo produce pus.surreptitiousDone secretly to avoid notice or disapproval.surrogacyThe act of serving in another's place.surrogateSomeone or something acting in place of another.susceptibleLikely to be affected or influenced by something.suspectTo regard a possibility as true without firm proof.suspendTo interrupt temporarily.suspendTo hold something up without support from below.suspenseAnxious uncertainty about what will happen.suspensionSupport from above.suspensionA temporary stopping or withholding of something.suspensionA mixture of undissolved particles dispersed in a fluid.suspicionA very small amount of something.suspicionA feeling that something may be true or wrong without firm proof.sustainTo keep something in effect or continuing.sustainTo suffer damage, loss, or injury.sustenanceNourishment or support needed to sustain life.