To bring under; to conquer by force or the exertion of superior power, and bring into permanent subjection; to reduce under dominion; to vanquish.

To destroy the force of; to overcome; as, medicines subdue a fever.

To render submissive; to bring under command; to reduce to mildness or obedience; to tame; as, to subdue a stubborn child; to subdue the temper or passions.

To overcome, as by persuasion or other mild means; as, to subdue opposition by argument or entreaties.

To reduce to tenderness; to melt; to soften; as, to subdue ferocity by tears.

To reduce the intensity or degree of; to tone down; to soften; as, to subdue the brilliancy of colors.

To make less intense. Often used in discussions of color, where a complementary color or gray might be added to lower the chroma.