SUBJECTS | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Middle English (in the sense ‘(person) owing obedience’): from Old French suget, from Latin subjectus ‘brought under’, past participle of subicere, from sub- ‘under’ + jacere ‘throw’. Senses relating to philosophy, logic, and grammar are derived ultimately from Aristotle's use of to hupokeimenon meaning ‘material from which things are made’ and ‘subject of attributes and predicates’

a person or thing that is being discussed, described, or dealt with

person or thing that is being discussed, described, or dealt with

• I've said all there is to be said on the subject
• he's the subject of a major new biography

a branch of knowledge studied or taught in a school, college, or university

branch of knowledge studied or taught in school or university

• maths is not my best subject

a member of a state other than its ruler, especially one owing allegiance to a monarch or other supreme ruler

member of state other than its ruler

• the legislation is applicable only to British subjects

a noun or noun phrase functioning as one of the main components of a clause, being the element about which the rest of the clause is predicated.

noun or noun phrase functioning as one of main components of clause, being element about which rest of clause is predicated

a thinking or feeling entity; the conscious mind; the ego, especially as opposed to anything external to the mind.

thinking or feeling entity

cause or force someone or something to undergo (a particular experience or form of treatment, typically an unwelcome or unpleasant one)

cause or force person or thing to undergo

• he'd subjected her to a terrifying ordeal

bring (a person or country) under one's control or jurisdiction, typically by using force

bring person or country under one's control or jurisdiction

• the city had been subjected to Macedonian rule