Subaltern: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฎ
subaltern
[ หsสbษltษn ]
military
A subordinate or junior officer in the armed forces.
Synonyms
ensign, junior officer, lieutenant
Examples of usage
- He was just a subaltern, but he showed great leadership skills.
- The subaltern followed the orders given by his superior officer.
historical
A junior assistant or representative, especially in a colonial context.
Synonyms
assistant, deputy, representative
Examples of usage
- The subaltern was responsible for maintaining communication between the colonizers and the local population.
- The subaltern played a crucial role in the administration of the colony.
Translations
Translations of the word "subaltern" in other languages:
๐ต๐น subalterno
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคชเคตเคฐเฅเคเฅเคฏ
๐ฉ๐ช Untergebener
๐ฎ๐ฉ bawahan
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟัะดะปะตะณะปะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ podwลadny
๐ฏ๐ต ๅพๅฑ็
๐ซ๐ท subalterne
๐ช๐ธ subalterno
๐น๐ท ast
๐ฐ๐ท ํ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุชุงุจุน
๐จ๐ฟ podลรญzenรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ podriadenรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ไธๅฑ
๐ธ๐ฎ podrejen
๐ฎ๐ธ lรฆgri setning
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑะฐาัะฝััั
๐ฌ๐ช แฅแแแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ tabe
๐ฒ๐ฝ subalterno
Word origin
The word 'subaltern' originated from the Latin word 'subalternus' meaning 'inferior'. It was first used in English in the early 17th century to refer to a junior officer in the military. Over time, its usage expanded to include junior assistants or representatives in various contexts. The term gained prominence during the colonial era to describe the role of subordinate officials in colonial administration.
See also: alter, alterably, alteration, alterations, altercation, altered, alterer, altering, alternating, inalterably, unalterable, unaltered.