early 15c., "withdrawal, removal" (originally of noxious substances from the body), from Latin subductionem (nominative subductio) "a withdrawal, drawing up, hauling ashore," noun of action from past participle stem of subducere "to draw away, take away" (see subduce). Geological sense is attested from 1970, from French (1951).
subdivide
subdivision
subdominant
subduce
subduct
subduction
subdue
subdued
subfusc
sub-giant
subgroup