subaltern
adjective
sub·al·tern
| \ sə-ˈbȯl-tərn
, especially British ˈsə-bəl-tərn\
, especially British ˈsə-bəl-tərn\
Definition of subaltern
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: particular with reference to a related universal proposition
"some S is P" is a subaltern proposition to "all S is P"
2
: subordinate
subaltern
nounDefinition of subaltern (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: a person holding a subordinate position
specifically
: a junior officer (as in the British army)
2
: a particular proposition that follows immediately from a universal
Examples of subaltern in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
For the dominant group, being judged and asked to justify itself, as so many subaltern groups are judged and asked to justify themselves, feels like an insult. — David Roberts, Vox, "American white people really hate being called “white people”," 26 July 2018 In both novels, Kushner cuts the glamor of Rome, New York City, and Havana with scenes of subaltern life at the edge of manufacturing. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "The bold, vivid worlds of Rachel Kushner’s novels," 7 June 2018 That theme was not just about a faith, but about a rich art historical tradition that occupies a subcultural, even subaltern, place in the U.S. because of its strong association with nonwhite populations. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "Getting Into the Holy Spirit," 8 May 2018 And now, as a very junior subaltern among 435 House members, Miller wanted to do something about that. — George Weigel, National Review, "Remembering Congressman John Miller," 6 Oct. 2017Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The queen – then Princess Elizabeth – became an honorary second subaltern of the Army in 1945. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Was Queen Elizabeth II really an army mechanic during WWII?," 4 June 2019 The visiting dignitary is Queen Elizabeth — now perhaps better known as the Queen Mother — and the young ATS subaltern is her daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth II. — Lily Rothman, Time, "The World War II Auto Mechanic in This Photo Is Queen Elizabeth II. Here's the Story Behind the Picture," 25 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subaltern.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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