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.
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.
To destroy the force of; to overcome; as, medicines subdue a fever.
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.
To overcome, as by persuasion or other mild means; as, to subdue opposition by argument or entreaties.
To reduce to tenderness; to melt; to soften; as, to subdue ferocity by tears.
To make mellow; to break, as land; also, to destroy, as weeds.
To reduce the intensity or degree of; to tone down; to soften; as, to subdue the brilliancy of colors.
98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.