subject
[ noun, adjective suhb-jikt; verb suh b-jekt ]
/ noun, adjective ˈsʌb dʒɪkt; verb səbˈdʒɛkt /
noun
adjective
verb (used with object)
Origin of subject
1275–1325; (adj.) < Latin
subjectus placed beneath, inferior, open to inspection, orig. past participle of
subicere to throw or place beneath, make subject, equivalent to
sub-
sub- +
-jec-, combining form of
jacere to throw +
-tus past participle suffix; replacing Middle English
suget < Old French < Latin, as above; (noun) < Late Latin
subjectum grammatical or dialectical subject, noun use of neuter of
subjectus; replacing Middle English
suget, as above; (v.) < Latin
subjectāre, frequentative of
subicere; replacing Middle English
suget(t)en < Old French
sugetter < Latin, as above
SYNONYMS FOR subject
1, 4
Subject,
theme,
topic are often interchangeable to express the material being considered in a speech or written composition.
Subject is a broad word for whatever is treated in writing, speech, art, etc.:
the subject for discussion.
Theme and
topic are usually narrower and apply to some limited or specific part of a general subject. A
theme is often the underlying conception of a discourse or composition, perhaps not put into words but easily recognizable:
The theme of a need for reform runs throughout her work. A
topic is the statement of what is to be treated in a section of a composition:
The topic is treated fully in this section.
3 reason, rationale.
17 subordinate, subservient.
20 contingent.
OTHER WORDS FROM subject
Words nearby subject
Example sentences from the Web for subjects
British Dictionary definitions for subjects
Abbreviation:
subj
Derived forms of subject
subjectable, adjective subjectability, noun subjectless, adjective subject-like, adjectiveWord Origin for subject
C14: from Latin
subjectus brought under, from
subicere to place under, from
sub- +
jacere to throw
Cultural definitions for subjects
subject
A part of every sentence. The subject tells what the sentence is about; it contains the main noun or noun phrase: “The car crashed into the railing”; “Judy and two of her friends were elected to the National Honor Society.” In some cases the subject is implied: you is the implied subject in “Get me some orange juice.” (Compare predicate.)
Idioms and Phrases with subjects
subject