[f. SUBDUE v. + -AL.]
1. The act of subduing or state of being subdued; subjection.
1675. Burthogge, Causa Dei, 227. The Castigation and subdual of the affections.
174165. Warburton, Div. Legat., v. iv. Wks. 1788, III. 139. Mahomets work was not like Mosess, the subdual of a small tract of Country.
1864. Pusey, Lect. Daniel, ii. (1866), 79. Permanent subdual distinguished the Roman Empire. Other Empires swept over like a tornado.
1882. H. S. Holland, Logic & Life (1885), 45. We are shut out from understanding this subdual which is belief.
1904. Archæol. Æliana, XXV. II. 147. Their subdual lasted several years.
2. A becoming subdued or moderate. rare.
1884. J. Tait, Mind in Matter, 72. In autumn, with the subdual of heat, there is annually, in Canada, a transformation of nature.