{ Sub*duce" (?), Sub*duct" (?), } v. t. [L. subducere, subductum; sub under + ducere to lead, to draw. See Duke, and cf. Subdue.] 1. To withdraw; to take away. Milton.
2. To subtract by arithmetical operation; to deduct.
If, out of that infinite multitude of antecedent generations, we should subduce ten.
Sir M. Hale.
Sub*duc"tion (?), n. [L. subductio.] 1. The act of subducting or taking away. Bp. Hall.
2. Arithmetical subtraction. Sir M. Hale.
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*dued" (?), a. 1. Conquered; overpowered; crushed; submissive; mild.
2. Not glaring in color; soft in tone.
Sub*due"ment (?), n. Subdual. [Obs.] Shak.
Sub*du"er (?), n. One who, or that which, subdues; a conqueror. Spenser.
Sub*dul"cid (?), a. [Pref. sub + L. dulcis sweet.] Somewhat sweet; sweetish. [R.]
Sub"du*ple (?), a. (Math.) Indicating one part of two; in the ratio of one to two.
Subduple ratio, the ratio of 1 to 2: thus, 3:6 is a subduple ratio, as 6:3 is a duple ratio.
The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section S · The Wunder Library — complete classics, free to read, with narration.