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Subdue   /səbdˈu/   Listen
verb
Subdue  v. t.  (past & past part. subdued; pres. part. subduing)  
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."
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." "If aught... were worthy to subdue The soul of man."
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.
Synonyms: To conquer; overpower; overcome; surmount; vanquish. See Conquer.






Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48








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"Subdue" Quotes from Famous Books



... marrying a woman with more brains, she would be more difficult to subdue, but with Rosalie Vanderpoel, processes were not necessary. If you shocked, bewildered or frightened her with accusations, sulks, or sneers, her light, innocent head was set in such a whirl that the rest was easy. It was possible, upon the whole, that the thing might not turn ...
— The Shuttle • Frances Hodgson Burnett

... ever borne in mind those which you performed for it at that happy period when the unfortunate hero of Iguala, causing the voice of freedom to resound to the remotest lands of the Mexican territory, gave a terrible lesson to those who wish to subdue weak nations, with no other title than that of strength. You were one of the first and most valiant chiefs, who, placed by his side, assisted in this important and happy work; you it was who showed to the tyrant in the fields of Juchi, Aztcapozalco and others, that the sword ...
— Life in Mexico • Frances Calderon de la Barca

... realizing such happiness as is attainable. For nothing except that consciousness can raise a person above the chances of life, by making him feel that, let fate and fortune do their worst, they have not power to subdue him: which, once felt, frees him from excess of anxiety concerning the evils of life, and enables him, like many a Stoic in the worst times of the Roman Empire, to cultivate in tranquillity the sources of satisfaction accessible to him, without concerning himself ...
— Utilitarianism • John Stuart Mill

... solicitations of his good friend the Bishop. The latter had given his word to the minister, and pledged his honour that he would induce Delisle to go, and he began to be alarmed when he found he could not subdue the obstinacy of that individual. For more than two years he continued to remonstrate with him, and was always met by some excuse, that there was not sufficient powder, or that it had not been long enough exposed to the ...
— Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions - Vol. I • Charles Mackay

... feudal chief, whom human law Or kingly pow'r could bind not, nor control, Has paus'd before thy gates in holy awe, And felt religion's charm subdue his soul— The heart that joy'd to hear the savage howl Of battle on the breeze, has soften'd been— List'ning the hymns of peace that sweetly stole O'er this lone vale, where fancy's eye hath seen Forms bright and angel-like glide ...
— The "Ladies of Llangollen" • John Hicklin


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