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-.

submarine (s) (noun), submarines (pl)
1. A submersible vessel that operates underwater: A submarine is a navel U-boat that is usually armed with explosive devices or torpedoes.
2. A long marrow sandwich made of a crusty roll and cut lengthwise: Jane loved to eat submarines filled iwht meats, tomatoes, onions, and cheese.
3. In baseball, a pitch that is thrown with an underhand motion: Chuck was known for his submarines in playing baseball and was able to trick his opponents.
submariner (s) (noun), submariners (pl)
1. A member of the crew of a submersible watercraft: Tom, the submariner, worked as a sailor with others on the U-boat of his country.
2. A pitcher in baseball who throws with an underhand movement: Russel was the favorite submariner who always confused the batter of the opposing team by hurling the ball in an unconventional or deceptive manner.
submation
submerge, submerges; submerged; submerging (verbs)
submergence (s), submergences (pl) (nouns)
submergible (adjective)
submerse, submerses; submersed; submersing (verbs)
submersible (adjective)
submersion (suhb MUHR zhuhn, suhb MUHR shuhn) (s) (noun), submersions (pl)
1. The condition of something being completely covered with a liquid: For cleaning purposes, a submersion, or lowering one part of the machine into a special solution, was necessary.
2. The state of being overwhelmed with activities, work, difficulties, etc.: Sam was confronted with a monstrous job of taking care of the finances of the company because the treasurer suddenly got sick and this submersion of responsibilities caused him to have many sleepless nights.
submicroscopic
1. Too small to be seen by even the most powerful optical microscope.
2. Particles which, although visible in an ultramicroscope, are too small to be resolved by visible light.
submicroscopical
submicroscopically
submission (suhb MISH uhn) (s) (noun), submissions (pl)
1. An act or instance of giving in: A prisoner’s submission is insisted upon when he is put into jail and he must follow all the rules and regulations of the imprisonment.
2. The condition of having complied to something or someone: Tim’s submission or agreement of going with his parents on the trip to the coast, instead of watching TV, proved to be much more exciting after all!
3. Acquiescent and respectful conduct or attitude: Mrs. Jones asked for Tom’s submission and obedience in class towards her and his classmates so the lesson could proceed again without interruption.
4. Something that is turned in or given to somebody: Jane wanted the submission of her article to the editor of the magazine to be published in the next issue.
5. In law, an agreement between parties involved in a dispute, to abide by the decision of an arbitrator or arbitrators: The neighbors were engaged in a quarrel about the fence between their houses and approved in a written submission to accept the settlement of their argument when it was reached.
submissive (adjective), more submissive, most submissive
1. Related to a person who yields or submits to the control or authority of another person: Jerry was a submissive husband who was obedient to his wife's desires.
2. Etymology: from Latin submittere, "to yield, to lower, to let down, to put under, to reduce"; from sub-, "under" + mittere "to let go, to send".
A reference to yielding to almost anything a man's wife wants.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

submit
1. To yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another; especially reluctantly or under pressure.
2. To subject to a condition or process.
3. To commit (something) to the consideration or judgment of another: "Applicatins must be submitted prior to the day of departure."
4. To offer as a proposition or contention: "I submit that the terms are entirely unreasonable."
5. To give in to the authority, power, or desires of another.
6. To allow oneself to be subjected to something.
7. To defer to another's knowledge, judgment, or experience.