subject
n
a the predominant theme or topic, as of a book, discussion, etc.
b (in combination)
subject-heading
2 any branch of learning considered as a course of study
3 (Grammar, logic) a word, phrase, or formal expression about which something is predicated or stated in a sentence; for example, the cat in the sentence The cat catches mice
4 a person or thing that undergoes experiment, analysis, treatment, etc.
5 a person who lives under the rule of a monarch, government, etc.
6 an object, figure, scene, etc., as selected by an artist or photographer for representation
a that which thinks or feels as opposed to the object of thinking and feeling; the self or the mind
b a substance as opposed to its attributes
8 (Also called)
theme (Music) a melodic or thematic phrase used as the principal motif of a fugue, the basis from which the musical material is derived in a sonata-form movement, or the recurrent figure in a rondo
a the term of a categorial statement of which something is predicated
b the reference or denotation of the subject term of a statement. The subject of John is tall is not the name John, but John himself
11 ♦
change the subject to select a new topic of conversation
adj usually postpositive and foll by: to
12 being under the power or sovereignty of a ruler, government, etc.
subject peoples
13 showing a tendency (towards)
a child subject to indiscipline
14 exposed or vulnerable
subject to ribaldry
15 conditional upon
the results are subject to correction
adv
16 ♦
subject to prep under the condition that
we accept, subject to her agreement
vb tr
17 foll by: to to cause to undergo the application (of)
they subjected him to torture
18 often passive; foll by: to to expose or render vulnerable or liable (to some experience)
he was subjected to great danger
19 foll by: to to bring under the control or authority (of)
to subject a soldier to discipline
20 Now rare to subdue or subjugate
21 Rare to present for consideration; submit
22 Obsolete to place below,
(Abbrev.)
subj (C14: from Latin subjectus brought under, from subicere to place under, from sub- + jacere to throw) ♦
subjectable adj ♦
subjectability n ♦
subjectless adj ♦
subject-like adj
short subject
n (Chiefly U.S) a short film, esp. one presented between screenings of a feature film
subject catalogue
n (Library science) a catalogue with entries arranged by subject in a classified sequence
subject matter
n the substance or main theme of a book, discussion, debate, etc.
subject-raising
n (Transformational grammar) a rule that moves the subject of a complement clause into the clause in which it is embedded, as in the derivation of He is likely to be late from It is likely that he will be late