subaltern n. + Add to list UK //sˈʌbɒltən// sub·al·tern SynonymsEtymology Synonyms lowlypettysecondaryOriginLATsub-→LA-LATsubalternus→FRMsubalterne→ENsubaltern From Middle French subalterne, from Late Latin subalternus, from Latin sub- + alternus, from alter.