Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

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

2. (v. t.) To overpower so as to disable from further resistance; to crush.

3. (v. t.) To destroy the force of; to overcome; as, medicines subdue a fever.

4. (v. t.) 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.

5. (v. t.) To overcome, as by persuasion or other mild means; as, to subdue opposition by argument or entreaties.

6. (v. t.) To reduce to tenderness; to melt; to soften; as, to subdue ferocity by tears.

7. (v. t.) To make mellow; to break, as land; also, to destroy, as weeds.

8. (v. t.) To reduce the intensity or degree of; to tone down; to soften; as, to subdue the brilliancy of colors.