Sub-

Alternative forms

subs- by-form

Origin

From the Latin sub, meaning under

Full definition of sub-

Prefix

under, beneathsubterraneansubmarine
subsidiary, secondarysubplot
almost, nearlysubhumansuborbicular

Usage notes

In Latin, the following sound changes affected "sub-" and cause English borrowings from Latin which contain this prefix to have different forms. Words formed in English using the prefix "sub-" do not exhibit these sound changes. (Combination with 's' involved elision and the other changes involved assimilation.)

sub + c = suc- (hence succession, from Latin successio; but e.g. subculture formed in English from sub- + culture)

sub + c = sus- (susceptible)

sub + f = suf- (suffer, but subfield)

sub + g = sug- (suggestion, but subgroup)

sub + p = sup- (support, but subpage)

sub + r = sur- (surrogate, but subroutine)

sub + s = su- (suspect, but subset)

sub + sp = su- (suspire, but subspecies)

sub + t = sus- (sustain, but subtitle)

Derived terms

Antonyms

super-