View synonyms for subalternate

subalternate

[ suhb-awl-ter-nit, -al- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

subordinate.
Botany. placed singly along an axis, but tending to become grouped oppositely.

subalternate

/ sʌbˌɔːltəˈneɪʃən; sʌbˈɔːltənɪt /

adjective

(of leaves) having an arrangement intermediate between alternate and opposite
following in turn
of lesser quality or status

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Derived Forms

subalternation, noun

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Other Words From

sub·al·ter·na·tion [suhb-awl-ter-, ney, -sh, uh, n, -al-], noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of subalternate¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin subalternātus (past participle of subalternāre to subordinate), equivalent to subaltern ( us ) subaltern + -ātus -ate ¹

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Example Sentences

Shrubs or trees with opposite, rarely subalternate, simple, deciduous leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the hens was his favourite, the others filled subalternate parts.

From Project Gutenberg

Branches irregular, divaricate nearly at rightangles, subalternate.

From Project Gutenberg

subaltern subantarctic

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