Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Dictionary Word of the Day

subaltern \suhb-OL-tuhrn; SUHB-uhl-tuhrn\, adjective:
1. Ranked or ranged below; subordinate; inferior.
2. (Chiefly British) Ranking as a junior officer; being below the rank of captain.
3. (Logic) Asserting only a part of what is asserted in a related proposition.

noun:
1. A person holding a subordinate position.
2. (Chiefly British) A commissioned military officer below the rank of captain.
3. (Logic) A subaltern proposition.

It's been a while since the Dictionary Word of the Day presented me with a word I've never heard or seen before. I think subaltern will always stay subordinate to subordinate in my vocabulary.

Related Tags: