Sub*due" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Subdued (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Subduing.] [OE. soduen, OF. sosduire to seduce,
L. subtus below (fr. sub under) + ducere to lead.
See Duke, and cf. Subduct.] 1. To
bring under; to conquer by force or the exertion of superior power,
and bring into permanent subjection; to reduce under dominion; to
vanquish.
I will subdue all thine enemies.
1 Chron. xvii. 10.
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.
3. To destroy the force of; to overcome; as,
medicines subdue a fever.
4. 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.
5. To overcome, as by persuasion or other mild
means; as, to subdue opposition by argument or
entreaties.
6. To reduce to tenderness; to melt; to
soften; as, to subdue ferocity by tears.
7. To make mellow; to break, as land; also, to
destroy, as weeds.
8. To reduce the intensity or degree of; to
tone down; to soften; as, to subdue the brilliancy of
colors.
Syn. -- To conquer; overpower; overcome; surmount; vanquish.
See Conquer.
Sub*due" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Subdued (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Subduing.] [OE. soduen, OF. sosduire to seduce,
L. subtus below (fr. sub under) + ducere to lead.
See Duke, and cf. Subduct.] 1. To
bring under; to conquer by force or the exertion of superior power,
and bring into permanent subjection; to reduce under dominion; to
vanquish.
I will subdue all thine enemies.
1 Chron. xvii. 10.
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.
3. To destroy the force of; to overcome; as,
medicines subdue a fever.
4. 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.
5. To overcome, as by persuasion or other mild
means; as, to subdue opposition by argument or
entreaties.
6. To reduce to tenderness; to melt; to
soften; as, to subdue ferocity by tears.
7. To make mellow; to break, as land; also, to
destroy, as weeds.
8. To reduce the intensity or degree of; to
tone down; to soften; as, to subdue the brilliancy of
colors.
Syn. -- To conquer; overpower; overcome; surmount; vanquish.
See Conquer.
