subjection
/səbˈdʒekʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /səbˈdʒekʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)səbˈjekshən How to pronounce subjection (audio)/ (ame, mw)
subjection — noun
1. the use of military or political power to place a nation or people under foreign
the use of military or political power to place a nation or people under foreign rule, or the condition of being governed in this way
The subjection of the Inca Empire by Spanish forces took less than fifty years.
subjection of + [people] + by [conqueror]
Sofie's dissertation examined the subjection of local tribes during colonial expansion.
After decades of subjection, the island nation finally won its independence in 1962.
Dimitri watched Cossack troops complete the subjection of his village in a single afternoon.
Wren's grandfather recalled the subjection of his village under the military regime.
- subjugation
more emphasis on the act of conquering than the resulting state
- oppression
stresses unjust or cruel treatment, not necessarily formal political control
- domination
broader term; can apply to any sphere, not only politics
- independence
the state of being free from outside political control
- liberation
the act of setting a people free from subjection
文法句型
subjection of + [country/people] + (by + [conqueror])
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'of' and refers to a conquered people or nation. Distinguish from sense 2, which takes 'to' and describes personal or institutional submission rather than political conquest.
常見錯誤
2. the state of being made to obey or yield to another person's or group's will and
the state of being made to obey or yield to another person's or group's will and power, without any real freedom to choose otherwise
Baraka refused to live in subjection to his older brother's every command.
subjection to + [person/authority]
Tanvi's essay argued that subjection to tradition should not be a woman's fate.
Nala's novel describes a life of subjection to cruel and demanding employers.
Yael finally broke free from subjection to the customs that had silenced her aunt.
The new law was designed to protect children from subjection to unsafe labour.
- submission
more general; can be voluntary rather than forced
- subordination
more about rank or hierarchy, less about the use of force
- obedience
implies willingness to comply, not necessarily coercion
文法句型
subjection to + [authority/control/will]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'to' and describes submission to a person, set of rules, or institution. Distinguish from sense 1, which takes 'of' and describes political conquest of countries or peoples.