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subject

sub·ject [ súb jèkt ]


noun  (plural sub·jects)
Definition:
 
1. topic: something that is being discussed, examined, or otherwise dealt with
the subject of our conversation
On the subject of staff changes, I have some news.

2. course of study: a branch of learning that forms a course of study ( often used in the plural )

3. somebody treated or acted upon: somebody who receives treatment or is the focus of an activity
not an appropriate subject for hypnosis

4. person ruled by another: somebody who is ruled by a king, queen, or other authority

5. arts literature thing represented by artist: somebody or something that an artist, writer, or photographer represents in a piece of work
the subject of her latest biography

6. grammar grammatical performer of action: the part of a sentence or utterance, usually a noun, noun phrase, or equivalent, that the rest of the sentence asserts something about and that agrees with the verb. The subject typically performs the action expressed by the verb. "She" and "The dog" are the subjects of "She gave me the book" and "The dog was found asleep" respectively.

7. music musical theme: the principal theme or melodic phrase that is developed in a musical composition



adjective 
Definition:
 
1. prone to: likely to be affected by something
areas subject to flooding
a child subject to mood swings

2. ruled: under the control of somebody or something such as a ruler or a law, and obliged to obey
a subject nation
not subject to the laws that apply in this country



adverb sub·ject to [ súb jèkt ] 
Definition:
 
depending: depending on somebody or something
The plans have been drawn up, subject to your final approval.



transitive verb  (past and past participle sub·ject·ed, present participle sub·ject·ing, 3rd person present singular sub·jects)
Definition:
 
1. give somebody unpleasant experience: to cause somebody to undergo something unpleasant
recruits subjected to rigorous physical training

2. submit something to treatment: to make something undergo a particular kind of treatment
proposals subjected to detailed scrutiny

3. overpower somebody: to bring a person or group under the power or influence of another person or group
a nation subjected to rule from overseas

[14th century. Via French< Latin subjectus< subicere "place under" < jacere "lie"]

Word Key: Synonyms
subject, topic, matter, issue, subject matter, theme, burden
CORE MEANING: what is under discussion

subject something that is being discussed, examined, or otherwise dealt with;
I didn't bring up the subject of money with my cousin.
Restoration of the wreck will be the subject of an exhibition at the Maritime Museum this year.
topic something dealt with in a text or in discussion;
The paper identified four major topics for consideration.
the current topic of conversation
matter something that is being considered or needs to be dealt with;
Readers may have their own views on this matter.
It may help to hold short family meetings to discuss matters like holidays.
issue something for discussion or of general concern;
I want to talk to you on the issue of late delivery.
These are sensitive issues and need to be handled carefully.
subject matter the material dealt with in a book, movie, discussion, or other medium;
Most of the documentation aids are graphic representations of the subject matter.
a photographer whose subject matter is the narrow streets of lower Manhattan
theme the subject of a discourse, discussion, piece of writing, or artistic composition;
Death and the passing of time are the principal themes of this book.
burden (literary) the main or recurring theme in a book, piece of music, speech, or argument;
The main burden of the report's criticisms focus on lack of communication.
Tantalizing unfulfillment is part of the play's emotional burden.
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