All 3 Uses of
subdue
in
Harry Potter (#2) and the Chamber of Secrets
- But it was a subdued group that headed back to the fireside in the Leaky Cauldron, where Harry, the Weasleys, and all their shopping would be traveling back to the Burrow using Floo powder.
p. 63.8subdued = quiet -- perhaps thoughtful
- The Herbology class was very subdued; there were now two missing from their number, Justin and Hermione.
p. 268.1 *
- Fred and George challenged Harry and Ron to a few games of Exploding Snap, and Ginny sat watching them, very subdued in Hermione's usual chair.
p. 271.2
Definitions:
-
(1)
(subdue as a verb as in: subdued the opposition) to control, prevent, or make less intense -- sometimes through forceThe exact meaning of subdue depends upon its context. For example:
- "subdued a nation" -- defeated militarily and brought under control
- "subdued the fever" -- made it less intense or defeated it
- "subdued her enthusiasm" -- made it less intense
- "subdued her fears" -- made them less intense or overcame them
- "subdued my emotions" -- kept them under control
- "subdued the crowd" -- quieted or controlled it
-
(2)
(subdued adjective as in: subdued colors or mood) not intense, or less activeThe exact meaning of subdued depends upon its context. For example:
- "subdued colors" -- not too bright (soft, not intense)
- "a subdued voice" -- quiet; perhaps whispered
- "a subdued mood" -- quiet and less active; perhaps a bit sad or thoughtful
- "subdued summer activity" -- less active or busy than normal
- (3) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)