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Subordinate vs Helpmeet - What's the difference?

subordinate | helpmeet |

As nouns the difference between subordinate and helpmeet

is that subordinate is (senseid)(countable) one who is subordinate while helpmeet is a helpful partner, particularly a spouse.

As an adjective subordinate

is placed in a lower class, rank, or position.

As a verb subordinate

is to make subservient.

subordinate

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.
  • * Woodward
    • The several kinds and subordinate species of each are easily distinguished.
  • Submissive or inferior to, or controlled by, authority.
  • * South
    • It was subordinate , not enslaved, to the understanding.
  • (grammar, of a clause, not comparable) dependent on and either modifying or complementing the main clause
    • In the sentence, “The barbecue finished before John arrived”, the subordinate clause “before John arrived” specifies the time of the main clause, “The barbecue finished”.

    Synonyms

    * lesser * (sense) dependent

    Antonyms

    * superior, superordinate * (Submissive to or controlled by authority) insubordinate * (sense) independent, main

    See also

    * inferior

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (senseid)(countable) One who is subordinate.

    • Synonyms

    * (one who is subordinate) inferior, junior, report, underling, understrapper

    Antonyms

    * (one who is subordinate) boss, commander, leader, manager, superior, supervisor

    Verb

    (subordinat)
  • To make subservient.
  • To treat as of less value or importance.
  • (finance) To make of lower priority in order of payment in bankruptcy.

    • Synonyms

    * (treat as of less value or importance) belittle, denigrate

    helpmeet

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A helpful partner, particularly a spouse.
  • * 1839 , The Friend's Intelligencer'', volume 1, number 24, Eighth month 1st, 1839, article ''Friend's Discipline , pages 456–457:
    • [on vocabulary errors] … and helpmates for meet-helps—the difference of the meaning of the two words is so obvious, that it is surprising it should have escaped attention.—A person may be a helpmate and at the same time be very far from being a help-meet , which is here intended.

    Synonyms

    * (helpful partner) helpmate