a the predominant theme or topic, as of a book, discussion, etc.
b (in combination)
subject-heading
2 any branch of learning considered as a course of study
3 (Grammar, logic) a word, phrase, or formal expression about which something is predicated or stated in a sentence; for example, the cat in the sentence The cat catches mice
4 a person or thing that undergoes experiment, analysis, treatment, etc.
5 a person who lives under the rule of a monarch, government, etc.
6 an object, figure, scene, etc., as selected by an artist or photographer for representation
a that which thinks or feels as opposed to the object of thinking and feeling; the self or the mind
b a substance as opposed to its attributes
8 (Also called) theme (Music) a melodic or thematic phrase used as the principal motif of a fugue, the basis from which the musical material is derived in a sonata-form movement, or the recurrent figure in a rondo
a the term of a categorial statement of which something is predicated
b the reference or denotation of the subject term of a statement. The subject of John is tall is not the name John, but John himself
11 ♦ change the subject to select a new topic of conversation
adj usually postpositive and foll by: to
12 being under the power or sovereignty of a ruler, government, etc.
subject peoples
13 showing a tendency (towards)
a child subject to indiscipline
14 exposed or vulnerable
subject to ribaldry
15 conditional upon
the results are subject to correction
adv
16 ♦ subject to prep under the condition that
we accept, subject to her agreement
vb tr
17 foll by: to to cause to undergo the application (of)
they subjected him to torture
18 often passive; foll by: to to expose or render vulnerable or liable (to some experience)
he was subjected to great danger
19 foll by: to to bring under the control or authority (of)
to subject a soldier to discipline
20 Now rare to subdue or subjugate
21 Rare to present for consideration; submit
22 Obsolete to place below, (Abbrev.) subj
(C14: from Latin subjectus brought under, from subicere to place under, from sub- + jacere to throw)
♦ subjectable adj
♦ subjectability n
♦ subjectless adj
♦ subject-like adj
short subject
n (Chiefly U.S) a short film, esp. one presented between screenings of a feature film
subject catalogue
n (Library science) a catalogue with entries arranged by subject in a classified sequence
subject matter
n the substance or main theme of a book, discussion, debate, etc.
subject-raising
n (Transformational grammar) a rule that moves the subject of a complement clause into the clause in which it is embedded, as in the derivation of He is likely to be late from It is likely that he will be late
- uberize (or uberise) v. to subject (an industry) to a business model in which services are offered on demand through direct contact between a customer and a supplier, usually via mobile technology
From the taxi company 'Uber', which pioneered this business model
- cut sth loose n. to release sth that is tied up
- have a butcher's at sth v. have a look at sth
Comes from cockney rhyming slang for "butcher's hook" = "look" Ex.: A: "What are you looking at?" B: "I'm just having a butcher's at this butcher's hook!"
- be beside oneself with exp. be consumed by an emotion; experience an intense feeling
be beside oneself with joy/ grief/ anger etc.
- paint oneself into a corner exp. do something which puts you in a very difficult situation and limits the way that you can act
- tropezar con algo v. to bump into sth
- to make a good fist of v. to do sth well
- take sth down a notch exp. to take OR turn OR bring something down a notch means to decrease its intensity
- come to grips with sth id. consider something seriously and start taking actions about it
- have a ball exp. have a great time; enjoy oneself
- soliloquize v. utter a soliloquy ; talk to oneself
- to be a tool exp. to be unable to think for oneself
used in a condescending way
- when life gives you lemons, make lemonade! exp. make the best out of a difficult situation ; turn sth negative into a positive. By making sth sweet (lemonade) out of sth bitter (lemon), the phrase encourages to look on the bright side of life even in the face of adversity or misfortune
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade; but when life gives you melons, you might be dyslexic!
- put a pin in it v. phrase people say to suggest coming back to a subject and discussing it later. It might sound like an excuse to avoid a topic but can also be said completely honestly and sincerely
Ex.: This point raised by Aurélien is relevant and enthralling but we're out of time right now. Let's put a pin in it!
- Your guess is as good as mine exp. used to tell someone that you do not know any more about a subject than they do
Ex: Jill: 'How long should we bake this pie?' Jane: 'Your guess is as good as mine'.
Welcome to English-Definition Collins dictionary ("Collins English Dictionary 5th Edition first published in 2000 © HarperCollins Publishers 1979, 1986, 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000 and Collins A-Z Thesaurus 1st edition first published in 1995 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995").
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