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Webster 1913 Edition


Subvert

Sub-vert′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Subverted
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Subverting
.]
[L.
subvertere
,
subversum
;
sub
under +
vertere
to turn: cf. F.
subvertir
. See
Verse
.]
1.
To overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly.
These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength,
With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,
Razeth your cities, and
subverts
your towns.
Shakespeare
This would
subvert
the principles of all knowledge.
Locke.
2.
To pervert, as the mind, and turn it from the truth; to corrupt; to confound.
2 Tim. iii. 14.
Syn. – To overturn; overthrow; destroy; invert; reverse; extinguish.

Sub-vert′

,
Verb.
I.
To overthrow anything from the foundation; to be subversive.
They have a power given to them like that of the evil principle, to
subvert
and destroy.

Webster 1828 Edition


Subvert

SUBVERT'

,
Verb.
T.
[L. subverto; sub and verto, to turn.]
1.
To overthrow from the foundation; to overturn; to ruin utterly. The northern nations of Europe subverted the Roman empire. He is the worst enemy of man, who endeavors to subvert the christian religion. The elevation of corrupt men to office will slowly, but surely, subvert a republican government.
This would subvert the principles of all knowledge.
2.
To corrupt; to confound; to pervert the mind, and turn it from the truth. 2 Tim.2.

Definition 2024


subvert

subvert

English

Pronunciation

Verb

subvert (third-person singular simple present subverts, present participle subverting, simple past and past participle subverted)

  1. (transitive) To overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly.
    • Shakespeare
      He [] razeth your cities, and subverts your towns.
    • John Locke
      This would subvert the principles of all knowledge.
  2. (transitive) To pervert, as the mind, and turn it from the truth; to corrupt; to confound.
    A dictator stays in power only as long as he manages to subvert the will of his people.
  3. (transitive) To upturn convention from the foundation by undermining it (literally, to turn from beneath).
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

Back-formation from subvertising, by analogy with advert.

Pronunciation

Noun

subvert (plural subverts)

  1. An advertisement created by subvertising.
Synonyms
Translations