verb
subdue
sub-DOO/səbˈduː/
To bring force or activity under control.
The martial artist subdues the resisting opponent with a firm pin on the mat.
Etymology
The shown roots formed subducere, “draw away,” but the English control sense seems to have come from subdere, “bring under.” Conquering and subjecting people extended to making them mentally or spiritually submissive.
In context
that was not the English plan. Howard and Drake and the others were not going to fight in that traditional manner. They were planning on using cannon, heavy guns, to subdue the Spanish.
More examples
- The officers subdued the attacker without injuring anyone.
- She takes slow breaths to subdue her anger.
- The army has difficulty subduing the rebellion.
Forms
subdue · subdues · subdued · subduing