subaltern means of a lower rank or position; inferior or secondary; especially (military) ranking as a junior officer, below the rank of captain. It carries an Arena rating of 1440, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, subaltern ranks #1,499 of 17,134 for Most Malleable Words, #2,613 of 42,762 for Qualifying, #3,292 of 17,126 for Most Elegant Words, #3,942 of 17,127 for Words That Escaped Their Books.
subaltern is pronounced /ˈsʌb.əltən/.
Why “subaltern” is a great word
Holding a position of inferior rank or secondary importance within a formal hierarchy; also, one who occupies such a position. The term descends from Middle French *subalterne*, from Late Latin *subalternus*, from Latin *sub-* ("under") + *alternus* ("alternate, other"), from *alter* ("other"). Unlike "subordinate"—a general term for anyone lower in rank—or "lieutenant"—a precise military grade—"subaltern" implies a specific, formal chain of command, often military or colonial, and in critical theory, names those rendered voiceless by systemic marginalization. It is the crisp salute of a young ensign, the unheard testimony from the colonial periphery, the logical proposition silently contained within a grander statement—the fundamental and structured condition of being the other beneath.
Etymology
From Middle French subalterne, from Late Latin subalternus, from Latin sub- + alternus, from alter.
adj
- Of a lower rank or position; inferior or secondary; especially (military) ranking as a junior officer, below the rank of captain.e.g.“a subaltern officer”
- Asserting only a part of what is asserted in a related proposition.
noun
- A subordinate.
- A commissioned officer having a rank below that of captain; a lieutenant or second lieutenant.
- A subaltern proposition; a proposition implied by a universal proposition.
- A member of a group that is socially, politically and geographically outside of the hegemonic power structure of the colony and of the colonial homeland.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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