subter-, prefix
(ˈsʌbtə(r))
repr. L. subter- = the adv. and prep. subter below, underneath, used in composition = (1) below, beneath; (a) advb. as in subterfluĕre to flow beneath (see subterfluous), (b) prep. as in subtercutāneus lying under the skin (cutis); = (2) secretly, as in subterfugĕre to flee secretly (see subterfuge); and, in some rare Eng. compounds, = (3) lower or less than (cf. sub- 14). The following are instances either of little-used adoptions of L. compounds or mere nonce-words (in some cases suggested by antithesis to compounds of super-).
subteˈrannuating vbl. n., the placing of an event later than its actual date. subter-ˈbrutish a., lower than (that of) the brutes. ˌsubter-ceˈlestial a., below the heavens. subter-ˈconscious a. = subconscious. † subterˈcubant [L. cubāre to lie down] (meaning unknown). ˌsubtercuˈtaneous [L. -eus] = subcutaneous. subterˈduction [cf. L. subterdūcĕre], a carrying away secretly. ˌsubtereroˈgation, the performance of less than is required. ˌsubtereˈtherial a., subaerial. † subterˈfluent, † subˈterfluous adjs., flowing underneath. subterˈhuman a., below what is human. subterˈjacent a. [L. subterjacēre], underlying, subjacent. ˌsubterlapˈsarian [properly *subtersublapsarian] a., pertaining to a view of redemption which conceived a sufficiency of grace for all, but a positive decree to save restricted to some. ˈsubtermarine, one who works under the sea. subterˈsensual, -ˈsensuous adjs., = subsensual, -sensuous. ˌsubtersuˈperlative, a degree lower than that expressed by an ordinary superlative of inferiority. ˈsubterˌsurface a., lying below the surface, subsurface.
| 1656 Heylin Extraneus Vapulans 102 The superannuating in the business of the Councel of Dort, (a *subterannuating call'd in the true sense of the thing). |
| 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. i. viii, O *subter-brutish! vile! most vile! |
| 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 253 By the Fiat of the Almighty the *subter-celestial waters were separated from the super⁓celestial. |
| 1856 Bagehot Biogr. Studies (1880) 15 There is a kind of eruption of ideas from a *subter-conscious world. |
| 1597 Harvey Trimming of Nashe Wks. (Grosart) III. 69 The..grand Commander of all the superrants & *subtercubants of Englands great Metropolis. |
| 1748 tr. Vegetius Renatus' Distemper of Horses 9 There are seven Species of this Maul: The moist, the dry, the *subtercutaneous, the articular [etc.]. |
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., *Subterduction, a private stealing or leading away. |
| 1617 Collins Def. Bp. Ely ii. ix. 346 It is certaine that Supererogation there can be none, though praetererogation we should graunt you, howbeit *subtererogation were the fitter word. |
| 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies iii. iii. 456 The *Subter-ætherial Globe. |
| 1755 Johnson, *Subterfluent, running under. |
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., *Subterfluous, which runs or flows under. |
| 1833 Carlyle Misc. Ess., Cagliostro (1888) 88 He were no man but some other kind of creature, superhuman or *subter⁓human. 1839 J. Sterling Ess., etc. (1848) I. 264 The universe presents itself to them as a conflux of forces, subter⁓human, human, and superhuman. |
| 1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's Fr. Chirurg. 25/2 As then not parte of the corrosive fall on any of the *subteriacent partes. 1762 tr. Busching's Syst. Geog. III. 29 A delightful prospect over the subter⁓jacent plain. |
| 1893 Fairbairn Christ Mod. Theol. i. viii. 173 The *Subterlapsarian School, which had hypothetical universalism as its note. |
| 1891 Meredith One of our Conq. xxvi, A diver's wreck, where an armoured livid *subter⁓marine, a monstrous puff-ball of man, wandered seriously light in heaviness. |
| 1885 ― Diana III. xii. 219 To pursue the thing would be to enter the *subtersensual perfumed caverns of a Romance of Fashionable Life. |
| 1878 P. W. Wyatt Hardrada 43 Sailing on one vast *subtersensuous greed Their smuggling life-craft ply. |
| 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. vi. 271 The Apostles words of himself, who am lesse than the least of all saints... As I may say, a *subter-subterlative [sic] in his humility. 1659 ― App. Inj. Innoc. iii. 18 Because he was Ελαχισ[τ]ότερος, (and if there be a more subter⁓superlative) the least of the least of his brethren. |
| 1831 Fraser's Mag. IV. 322 He never fails to sink to the *subter⁓surface level of Joseph Hume. |