sub

[ L. sub under, below; akin to Gr. &unr_;, Skr. upa to, on, under, over. Cf. Hypo-, Super-. ] 1. A prefix signifying under, below, beneath, and hence often, in an inferior position or degree, in an imperfect or partial state, as in subscribe, substruct, subserve, subject, subordinate, subacid, subastringent, subgranular, suborn. Sub- in Latin compounds often becomes sum- before m, sur before r, and regularly becomes suc-, suf-, sug-, and sup- before c, f, g, and p respectively. Before c, p, and t it sometimes takes form sus- (by the dropping of b from a collateral form, subs-). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Chem.) A prefix denoting that the ingredient (of a compound) signified by the term to which it is prefixed, is present in only a small proportion, or less than the normal amount; as, subsulphide, suboxide, etc. Prefixed to the name of a salt it is equivalent to basic; as, subacetate or basic acetate. [ Obsoles. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) An acetate containing an excess of the basic constituent. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ L. subacidus. See Sub-, Acid. ] Moderately acid or sour; as, some plants have subacid juices. -- n. A substance moderately acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Moderalely acrid or harsh. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Anat.) Situated beneath the acromial process of the scapula. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. subactus, p. p. of subigere to subdue; sub under + agere to lead, bring. ] To reduce; to subdue. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. L. subactio a working up, discipline. ] The act of reducing to any state, as of mixing two bodies combletely. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Moderalely acute. [ 1913 Webster ]