subdue

Definitions

1. 1.2. To overpower so as to disable from further resistance; to crush. Nothing could have subdued nature To such a lowness, but his unkind daughters. Shak. If aught . . . were worthy to subdue The soul of man. Milton.
2. 2.To destroy the force of; to overcome; as, medicines subdue a fever.
3. 3.To render submissive; to bring under command; to reduce to mildness or obedience; to tame; as, to subdue a stubborn child; to subdue the temper or passions.
4. 4.To overcome, as by persuasion or other mild means; as, to subdue opposition by argument or entreaties.
5. 5.To reduce to tenderness; to melt; to soften; as, to subdue ferocity by tears.
6. 6.To make mellow; to break, as land; also, to destroy, as weeds.
7. 7.To reduce the intensity or degree of; to tone down; to soften; as, to subdue the brilliancy of colors. See Conquer.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "subdue" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is subdue.

• What is to destroy the force of; to overcome; as, medicines subdue a fever called?
• What is to render submissive; to bring under command; to reduce to mildness or obedience; to tame; as, to subdue a stubborn child; to subdue the temper or passions called?
• What is to overcome, as by persuasion or other mild means; as, to subdue opposition by argument or entreaties called?
• What is to reduce to tenderness; to melt; to soften; as, to subdue ferocity by tears called?
• What is to make mellow; to break, as land; also, to destroy, as weeds called?
• What is to reduce the intensity or degree of; to tone down; to soften; as, to subdue the brilliancy of colors. See Conquer called?