subsidiary
UK: səbˈsɪdiəri | US: səbˈsɪdieri
n. a company controlled by a parent company
adj. providing supplementary support
adj. secondary in importance
The word "subsidiary" originates from Latin subsidium (support, reserve troops), combining sub- (under) and sedere (to sit). The idea was of troops "sitting behind" as reinforcements. Over time, it evolved to mean "supporting" or "secondary," eventually applied to business contexts where a smaller company "sits under" a larger parent company. The suffix -ary denotes relation, solidifying its modern meanings.
The tech giant owns several subsidiary companies worldwide.
She plays a subsidiary role in the project.
The team received subsidiary funding from the government.
The book includes subsidiary chapters for advanced learners.
Their subsidiary office handles regional operations.