subaltern meaning

UK US

subaltern (adjective): inferior in rank or status.

subaltern has 2 meanings in this dictionary, as adjective and noun.

subaltern as an adjective

  1. inferior in rank or status
    • the junior faculty
    • a lowly corporal
    • petty officialdom
    • a subordinate functionary

    Synonyms: junior-grade, lower-ranking, lowly, petty, secondary

    Similar: junior

subaltern as a noun

  1. a British commissioned army officer below the rank of captain

    Type of: commissioned military officer

Word lists: words starting with SU · words ending in RN · 9-letter words

More about subaltern on Wikipedia.