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-.

oversufficient (adjective) (not comparable)
A reference to being much more than enough.
sub specie (Latin phrase)
Translation: "Under the appearance of or under the pretext of."
sub voce (Latin)
Translation: "Under the word."

A reference to an entry in an index, in vocabulary, etc.

subabdominal (adjective) (not comparable)
Referring to the location located below the area of the body known as the belly: Since Annette had pains in her body, she went to the doctor who diagnosed her as having subabdominal irritations and prescribed some medication for her.
subaltern (adjective)
1. Lower in position or rank; secondary.
2. Primarily British, holding a military rank just below that of captain.
subalternate (adjective)
1. Of lesser quality or status; inferior.
2. Following by turns; successive.
subalternation (s) (noun), subalternations (pl)
The state of being inferior or a succession of turns: The subalternation of leaves refers to being arranged in a changeable pattern that becomes opposite to each other.
subaquatic (adjective), more subaquatic, most subaquatic
1. Living or growing partly on land and partly in water: "A marginal subaquatic flora."
2. Growing or remaining under water.
3. Being under water, or beneath the surface of water; adapted for use under water; such as, a submarine or a subaqueous helmet.
4. Formed in or under water; such as, "subaqueous deposits".
5. The practice of going underwater with or without a breathing apparatus.

When done for sport, this is sometimes called subaquatics. There are different kinds of underwater diving.

  • Snorkeling and free diving: swimming underwater without a breathing apparatus. An apparatus used by swimmers and skin divers, consisting of a long tube held in the mouth.
  • Scuba diving and surface supplied diving: swimming or walking underwater with a breathing apparatus.
subaquatics (plural used as a singular) (noun)
Recreational diving and professional diving (commercial diving, diving for scientific research purposes or diving for financial gain) takes a range of diving activities to the underwater work site: "Subaquatics involves competitive sports using either free-diving, snorkeling, scuba techniques, or a combination of these techniques."
subaqueous (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Formed or adapted for underwater use or operation; such as, a submarine.
2. Found, existing, or occurring underwater; for example, subaqueous organisms; subaqueous rocks.
subarctic (adjective) (usually not comparable)
1. Of or relating to latitudes just south of the Arctic Circle as in landscape or weather conditions.
2. Those regions of the Northern Hemisphere associated with taiga or subarctic climates, having temperatures below freezing for over half the year but often over 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.
subatomic (noun) (not comparable)
1. Referring or relating to particles that are smaller than an atom.
2. Having dimensions smaller than atomic dimensions.
subaudible (adjective) (not comparable)
Referring to sounds scarcely perceptible to the ear or of being heard: Subaudible noises or sounds are either below the threshold of hearing or are barely hearable, like little waves splashing against the sand at a beach.
subaudition (s) (noun), subauditions (pl)
The act of understanding a word or thought that is implied but not actually expressed in speech or writing: By way of subaudition, a word, idea, or thought can be understood by a hearer or reader although it is not specifically expressed, but only insinuated.
subboreal (adjective), more subboreal, most subboreal
1. Extremely cold, a biogeographic zone in which the climatic condition approaches that of the north but with lower temperatures.

A reference to a region that has a northern climate, with colder winters.

2. Etymology: from Latin borealis, which came from boreas, "north wind"; from Greek Boreas, "god of the north wind".