sub-, suc-, suf-, sug-, sum-, sup-, sur-, sus-, su-
(Latin: under, below, beneath; used as a prefix as shown in various formats below)
Don't confuse the sur- in this element with the sur- in super-. Note: sub- regularly means "under", but it often changes its form as it retains or keeps its meaning:
The prefix sub- often becomes suc- before c: succumb.
The prefix sub- often becomes suf- before f: suffuse.
The prefix sub- often becomes sug- before g: suggest.
The prefix sub- often becomes sum- before m: sumptuous.
The prefix sub- often becomes sup- before p: suppression.
The prefix sub- often becomes sur- before r: surrogate.
The prefix, sub- is often simplified to su- before sp; as seen in suspect, suspend, suspicion, suspension, et al. Before c, p, and t; it is sometimes formed into sus-.
suppose, supposes; supposed, supposing (verbs)
1. Assuming that something is the way it is based on what is possible or apparent; however, without any proof or specific knowledge: "He was supposing that he didn't pick up the book from the library because he was distracted by going to the bank."
2. A way to introduce an idea or concept: "Suppose we ask our banker how we should invest the money?"
3. A belief that something is true: "The wife told her husband that she thought the plumber would charge more than they had supposed."
2. A way to introduce an idea or concept: "Suppose we ask our banker how we should invest the money?"
3. A belief that something is true: "The wife told her husband that she thought the plumber would charge more than they had supposed."
suppress
The act of obtaining something by stealth or secret methods: "She practiced surreption so she could get the photograph she wanted of the politician."
surreptitious (adjective)
1. Obtained, done, made, etc., by stealth; secret or unauthorized; clandestine: "He made a surreptitious glance at the young woman."
2. Acting in a stealthy way (quietly, slowly, and cautiously in order to escape notice): " The cat approached the mouse in a surreptitious manner."
3. Etymology: in about 1443, from Latin surrepticius, "stolen, furtive, secret, clandestine"; from surreptus, past participle of surripere, "to seize, to take away secretly, to steal".
2. Acting in a stealthy way (quietly, slowly, and cautiously in order to escape notice): " The cat approached the mouse in a surreptitious manner."
3. Etymology: in about 1443, from Latin surrepticius, "stolen, furtive, secret, clandestine"; from surreptus, past participle of surripere, "to seize, to take away secretly, to steal".
The word is made up of two parts: sub, "from under" (secretly) + rapere, "to snatch, to seize".
surreptitiously (adverb)
In a surreptitious manner (done in a concealed or underhanded way in order to escape notice): "She was watching him surreptitiously as he waited in the hotel lobby."
"We know that China has been accumulating gold surreptitiously by buying up its domestic production."
surreptitiousness (s) (noun)
1. Something which is obtained, done, or made by clandestine, secret, or stealthy means; that is, trying to avoid being observed: "His surreptitiousness in slipping into the bank aroused the curiosity of the security guard."
2. An action which is kept hidden from others or known only to oneself or to a few other people: "The private investigator had to act with surreptitiousness in order to determine who had committed the murder in the city."
2. An action which is kept hidden from others or known only to oneself or to a few other people: "The private investigator had to act with surreptitiousness in order to determine who had committed the murder in the city."
1. Someone who takes the place of another person.
2. A person appointed to represent or to act on behalf of others.
3. Anyone who provides or receives nurture, or parental care, even though when not related by blood or legal ties.
4. A woman who gives birth for another; or a woman who bears a child for a couple, with the intention of handing it over at birth: "She is usually either artificially inseminated with the man's sperm or implanted with a fertilized egg from the woman."
5. A judge in some states who probates wills and settles estates.
6. In psychology, a substitute authority figure; or a respected person who replaces a lost or nonexistent parent in someone's subconscious; such as, a teacher or older sibling.
7. Etymology: from Latin surrogatus, past participle of surrogare "to put in another's place, a substitute"; from sub, "in the place of, under" + rogare "to ask, to propose".
2. A person appointed to represent or to act on behalf of others.
3. Anyone who provides or receives nurture, or parental care, even though when not related by blood or legal ties.
4. A woman who gives birth for another; or a woman who bears a child for a couple, with the intention of handing it over at birth: "She is usually either artificially inseminated with the man's sperm or implanted with a fertilized egg from the woman."
5. A judge in some states who probates wills and settles estates.
6. In psychology, a substitute authority figure; or a respected person who replaces a lost or nonexistent parent in someone's subconscious; such as, a teacher or older sibling.
7. Etymology: from Latin surrogatus, past participle of surrogare "to put in another's place, a substitute"; from sub, "in the place of, under" + rogare "to ask, to propose".
