adjective
subsidiary
Having a secondary or supporting role.
The committee plays a subsidiary role in planning the annual festival.
Etymology
The Latin adjective concerns assistance or reserve support. English preserves that secondary role in something that helps the main operation.
More examples
- Cost is a subsidiary concern when safety is at stake.
- The report includes subsidiary questions for further research.
- Her main argument is clear, but the subsidiary points need work.
Similar words
- secondary
- Emphasizes lower importance or priority, not necessarily a supporting function.
- supporting
- Emphasizes helping the main effort rather than ranking below it.
- subordinate
- Emphasizes lower rank or authority within a hierarchy.