All 5 Uses of
subdue
in
The Poisonwood Bible
- And God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.†
Chpt 1subdue = control or put down by force or intimidation
- But my father needs permission only from the Saviour, who obviously is all in favor of subduing the untamed wilderness for a garden.†
Chpt 1 *subduing = controlling, preventing, or making less intense
- I got out and walked very slowly behind the truck, to subdue my panic.†
Chpt 5subdue = control or put down by force or intimidation
- Somewhere in this subdued family din I was presumed to have been minding my own business for many hours.†
Chpt 2 *
- Soiled and subdued, she looked like a small malnourished relative of my previous sister.†
Chpt 4
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
-
(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