All 11 Uses of
subdue
in
A Death in the Family
- and upon these words a sob leapt up through him which he could not subdue but could only hope to conceal.†
Chpt 13 *subdue = control or put down by force or intimidation
- So after gazing coldly at each other for a little while, they once more looked into the side yard and down into the street and tried to interest themselves in what they saw, and to forget the thing which so powerfully pervaded their thoughts, and to subdue their physical restiveness in order that they should not be disapproved; and tiring of these, would look over once more at their aunt, who was as aloof almost as their father; and uneased by that, would look once more into each other's eyes; and so again to the yard and the street, upon which the sunlight moved slowly.†
Chpt 18
- When he was nearly asleep Rufus heard once more the crumpling of freight cars, and deep in the night he heard the crumpling of subdued voices and words, "Naw: I'll probably be back before they're asleep; then quick feet creaking quietly downstairs.†
Chpt 1
- Hannah subdued an impulse to go to her side.†
Chpt 8
- Mary subdued her crying.†
Chpt 8
- I don't see how his mother's going to bear it, Mary said, in a subdued voice.†
Chpt 12
- His eyes sprang full of tears; his throat, his chest knotted into a deep sob which he subdued, and the tears itched on his cheeks.†
Chpt 13
- Why did they all keep looking back and laughing in that queer way; subdued talk, their heads close together, and then those sudden whoops of laughter?†
Chpt 13
- The man's voice was subdued and gentle but rang very strongly with the knowledge that it was right and that no other voice could be quite as right; it seemed to say unpleasant things as if it felt they were kind things to say, or again, as if it did not care whether or not they were kind because in any case they were right, it seemed to make statements, to give information, to counter questions with replies which were beyond argument or even discussion and to try to give comfort whether what it was saying could give comfort or not.†
Chpt 17
- Once in a while when these voices came to crises in their subdued turmoil Rufus and Catherine looked into each other's cold bright eyes which brightened and chilled the more with every intensification of the man's voice, and every softening and defeat of their mother's voice.†
Chpt 17
- They heard him turn to go down the hall and then they heard his subdued, surprised voice: "Andrew?†
Chpt 18
Definitions:
-
(1)
(subdue as a verb as in: subdued the opposition) to control, prevent, or make less intense -- sometimes through forceThe exact meaning of subdue depends upon its context. For example:
- "subdued a nation" -- defeated militarily and brought under control
- "subdued the fever" -- made it less intense or defeated it
- "subdued her enthusiasm" -- made it less intense
- "subdued her fears" -- made them less intense or overcame them
- "subdued my emotions" -- kept them under control
- "subdued the crowd" -- quieted or controlled it
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(2)
(subdued adjective as in: subdued colors or mood) not intense, or less activeThe exact meaning of subdued depends upon its context. For example:
- "subdued colors" -- not too bright (soft, not intense)
- "a subdued voice" -- quiet; perhaps whispered
- "a subdued mood" -- quiet and less active; perhaps a bit sad or thoughtful
- "subdued summer activity" -- less active or busy than normal
- (3) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)