submissive
UK: səbˈmɪsɪv | US: səbˈmɪsɪv
adj. willing to obey or yield to others without resistance
adj. showing excessive willingness to serve or please others
submissive = sub<under> + miss<send> + ive<adjective suffix>
- sub (from Latin sub, meaning "under")
- miss (from Latin mittere, meaning "to send," evolving into "yield" or "submit")
- ive (suffix forming adjectives, indicating tendency or capacity)
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin submittere ("to lower, yield"), combining sub- (under) + mittere (to send). Over time, submit evolved in Middle English to mean "to yield to authority," and submissive emerged as an adjective describing someone inclined to yield or obey. The morphemes reflect the logic of "sending oneself under" another's will.
Her submissive attitude made her popular among teachers.
The dog was trained to be submissive to its owner.
He disliked her submissive behavior in meetings.
Submissive employees rarely challenge unfair policies.
The document required a submissive tone to avoid conflict.