English → Latin
“subject” in Latin
imperiumThe empire, state, imperial government, realm, dominion.; The right or power to command or be in control; dominion.; Absdiciōmilitary or political authority, power, control, rule; sway, controlobnoxiusobliged, indebted; subject to someone, under one's authority; susceptible to danger, misfortune, or weakness, vulnerablesubiciōto throw, lay, place, set or bring under or near; to subdue; to prompt, propose, suggestargūmentumargument (as in an argument for a position); evidence, a proof; a point, a theme; a topic, thesiscausacause, reason; case, claim, contention; cause, judicial process, lawsuitlocusplace (referring to a specific location); a passage of literature; opportunity; cause; occasion; groundsquaestiōproblem; seeking, search; inquiry, investigation, questioning, questionprōpōnōto set forth, to put forth, to lay out; to expose to view, display; to make knownpositiōposition, place; framing; theme
The English word subject itself goes back to Latin sub, through subiectus.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
subject adj.
Under the dominion of another, imperio, or ditioni, or sub alicujus dominationem subjectus (under the authority of): alicui parens (obedient to): alicui obnoxius (under the power of; Tac. has subjecti, subjects): To be subject to, esse in alicujus ditione, or ditione ac potestate; alicujus juris esse aut haberi; sub dominationem alicujus, or alicujus rei subjectum, esse: alicui or alicui rei obnoxium esse.
Exposed, liable, obnoxius: subjectus (☞ not subditus).
subject s.
A matter, point, res (a thing, in general; e.g., a subject of importance, res magna, res magni momenti): argumentum (for speaking or writing upon, subject matter. ☞ Avoid materia or materies = only the materials, thoughts, etc., used in working out a subject; and thema, which Quintilian ventures to use only with velut prefixed; instead of which he [5, 10, 9] recommends the classical argumentum; Vid: Spald, in loc; but Cic. says, materia ad argumentum subjecta): causa (the point at issue): locus (a single point, chief point; especially of a philosophical system, which forms the subject of discussion; e.g., omnis philosophiae locus, Cic., Or., 33, 118; hic locus a Zenone tractatus est, Cic., N.D., 2, 24, 63): quaestio: id quod quaerimus: id quod positum or propositum est, propositum (question proposed, subject of investigation, especially of a philosophical one): positio (a proposition defended; Quint., 2, 10, 15. ☞ Avoid the foreign thesis, although it is used by Quintilian; Vid: Spald. in loc.): sententia, sententiae (principal thought or thoughts): summa (main subject; e.g., of a letter, conversation, etc.).
Topic or matter of discussion, quaestio: controversia: res controversa: disceptatio. Often by circumlocution with quod cadit in controversiam or disceptationem. To make anything the subject of discussion, rem in controversiam vocare, adducere, deducere: the subject under discussion is, who, etc., quaeritur, quis, etc.; quaestio est, quis, etc.; in quaestione versatur, etc.: to change the subject, sermonem alio transferre.
(In logic)(In logic), subjectum (Marcellinus, Cap.); pars subjectiva (Apul.): de quo aliquid declaratur (Apul.).
One under the dominion or authority of another, [Vid. SUBJECT, adjective].
A man, homo. A bad or troublesome subject, homo nequam.
subject v.
subjicere: obnoxium reddere.
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for subject?
- The usual Latin words for “subject” are imperium, diciō, obnoxius; also subiciō, argūmentum, causa. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.