Sub‐due″ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Subdued (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Subduing.] [OE. soduen, OF. sosduire to seduce, L. subtus below (fr. sub under) + ducere to lead. See Duke, and cf. Subduct.] 1. To bring under; to conquer by force or the exertion of superior power, and bring into permanent subjection; to reduce under dominion; to vanquish.
I will subdue all thine enemies. 1 Chron. xvii. 10.
2. To overpower so as to disable from further resistance; to crush.
Nothing could have subdued nature
To such a lowness, but his unkind daughters. Shak.
If aught... were worthy to subdue
The soul of man. Milton.
3. To destroy the force of; to overcome; as, medicines subdue a fever.
4. To render submissive; to bring under command; to reduce to mildness or obedience; to tame; as, to subdue a stubborn child; to subdue the temper or passions.
5. To overcome, as by persuasion or other mild means; as, to subdue opposition by argument or entreaties.
6. To reduce to tenderness; to melt; to soften; as, to subdue ferocity by tears.
7. To make mellow; to break, as land; also, to destroy, as weeds.
8. To reduce the intensity or degree of; to tone down; to soften; as, to subdue the brilliancy of colors.
Syn. — To conquer; overpower; overcome; surmount; vanquish. See Conquer.