subdued

[ suh b-dood, -dyood ]
/ səbˈdud, -ˈdyud /

adjective

quiet; inhibited; repressed; controlled: After the argument he was much more subdued.
lowered in intensity or strength; reduced in fullness of tone, as a color or voice; muted: subdued light; wallpaper in subdued greens.
(of land) not marked by any striking features, as mountains or cliffs: a subdued landscape.

Origin of subdued

First recorded in 1595–1605; subdue + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM subdued

Definition for subdued (2 of 2)

subdue
[ suhb-doo, -dyoo ]
/ səbˈdu, -ˈdyu /

verb (used with object), sub·dued, sub·du·ing.

Origin of subdue

1350–1400; Middle English so(b)duen, so(b)dewen < Anglo-French *soduer to overcome, Old French soduire to deceive, seduce < Latin subdūcere to withdraw (see subduct); meaning in E (and Anglo-French) < Latin subdere to place beneath, subdue

synonym study for subdue

1. See defeat.

OTHER WORDS FROM subdue

Example sentences from the Web for subdued

British Dictionary definitions for subdued (1 of 2)

subdued
/ (səbˈdjuːd) /

adjective

cowed, passive, or shy
gentle or quiet a subdued whisper
(of colours, etc) not harsh or bright subdued lighting

Derived forms of subdued

subduedly, adverb subduedness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for subdued (2 of 2)

subdue
/ (səbˈdjuː) /

verb -dues, -duing or -dued (tr)

to establish ascendancy over by force
to overcome and bring under control, as by intimidation or persuasion
to hold in check or repress (feelings, emotions, etc)
to render less intense or less conspicuous

Derived forms of subdue

subduable, adjective subduably, adverb subdual, noun

Word Origin for subdue

C14 sobdue, from Old French soduire to mislead, from Latin subdūcere to remove; English sense influenced by Latin subdere to subject