subject

sub•ject

n., adj. [[t]ˈsʌb dʒɪkt[/t]] v. [[t]səbˈdʒɛkt[/t]] n.

1) that which forms a basic matter of thought, discussion, investigation, etc

2) edu a branch of knowledge as a course of study

3) a motive, cause, or ground:

a subject for complaint[/ex]

4) lit. pho something or someone treated or represented in a literary composition, work of art, etc

5) mad the principal melodic motif or phrase in a musical composition, esp. in a fugue

6) gov a person who owes allegiance to, or is under the domination of, a sovereign or state

7) gram. a syntactic unit that functions as one of the two main constituents of a sentence, the other being the predicate, and that consists of a noun, noun phrase, or noun substitute typically referring to the one performing the action or being in the state expressed by the predicate, as I in

I gave notice[/ex]

8) pho logic that term of a proposition concerning which the predicate is affirmed or denied

9) a person or thing that undergoes some kind of treatment at the hands of others

10) a person, animal, or corpse as an object of medical or scientific treatment or experiment

11) pho Philos.

a) that which thinks, feels, perceives, intends, etc., as contrasted with the objects of thought, feeling, etc

b) the self or ego

12) pho Metaphysics. that in which qualities or attributes inhere; substance

13) being under the domination, control, or influence of something (often fol. by to)

14) being under the dominion, rule, or authority of a sovereign, state, etc. (often fol. by to)

15) open or exposed (usu. fol. by to):

subject to ridicule[/ex]

16) dependent upon something (usu. fol. by to):

His consent is subject to your approval[/ex]

17) being under the necessity of undergoing something (usu. fol. by to):

All beings are subject to death[/ex]

18) liable; prone (usu. fol. by to):

subject to headaches[/ex]

19) to bring under domination, control, or influence (usu. fol. by to)

20) to cause to undergo the action of something specified; expose (usu. fol. by to):

to subject metal to intense heat[/ex]

21) to make liable or vulnerable; expose (usu. fol. by to):

to subject oneself to ridicule[/ex]

22) Obs. to place beneath something; make subjacent

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Etymology: 1300–50; (adj.) < L subjectus, ptp. of subicere to throw or place beneath, make subject =sub- sub-+-icere, comb. form of jacere to throw sub•jec′tion, n. syn: subject, topic, theme refer to the central idea or matter considered in speech or writing. subject refers to the broad or general matter treated in a discussion, literary work, etc.: The subject of the novel was a poor Southern family. topic often applies to one specific part of a general subject; it may also apply to a limited and well-defined subject: We covered many topics at the meeting. The topic of the news story was an escaped prisoner. theme usu. refers to the underlying idea of a discourse or composition, perhaps not clearly stated but easily recognizable: The theme of social reform runs throughout her work.