subaltern

[ suhb-awl-tern suhb-uhl-turn ]

adjective

1. lower in rank; subordinate:

   a subaltern employee.

2. British Military. noting a commissioned officer below the rank of captain.
3. Logic.
   1. denoting the relation of one proposition to another when the first proposition is implied by the second but the second is not implied by the first.
   2. (in Aristotelian logic) denoting the relation of a particular proposition to a universal proposition having the same subject, predicate, and quality.
   3. of or relating to a proposition having either of these relations to another.

noun

1. a person who has a subordinate position.
2. British Military. a commissioned officer below the rank of captain.
3. Logic. a subaltern proposition.

subaltern

/ ˈsʌbəltən /

noun

1. a commissioned officer below the rank of captain in certain armies, esp the British
2. a person of inferior rank or position
3. logic
   1. the relation of one proposition to another when the first is implied by the second, esp the relation of a particular to a universal proposition
   2. ( as modifier )

      a subaltern relation

adjective

1. of inferior position or rank

Other Words From

• subal·terni·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of subaltern¹

1575–85; < Late Latin subalternus, equivalent to sub- sub- + alternus alternate

Word History and Origins

Origin of subaltern¹

C16: from Late Latin subalternus, from Latin sub- + alternus alternate, from alter the other

Example Sentences

The NCM's rejection of Confucian hierarchy, which demanded strict obedience from the subaltern to the authority, resonated strongly with the May Fourth protesters and in particular the ascendant Marxist voices within the MFM who viewed the struggles against foreign oppression by the Japanese and domestic oppression by feudal and capitalist elites as one and the same.

From Salon

A lot of this work originates in “subaltern communities,” where “people with less means can’t afford the clearances” to build on existing works.

From Slate

She was registered as number 230873, Second Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor, and she spent three weeks with a carefully chosen group of other recruits, learning about basic motor mechanics and how to drive a lorry.

From BBC

In 1945, after months of urging her parents to let her do something for the war effort, the heir to the throne became Second Subaltern Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

From Seattle Times

In 1945, after months of campaigning for her parents’ permission to do something for the war effort, the heir to the throne became Second Subaltern Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

From Washington Times