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subsidiary

Pronunciation: /səbˈsɪdɪəri/

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Definition of subsidiary

adjective

  • less important than but related or supplementary to something:a subsidiary flue of the main chimney many argue that the cause of animal rights is subsidiary to that of protecting the environment
  • (of a company) controlled by a holding or parent company: all the firm’s subsidiary companies have to operate under broad general guidelines

noun (plural subsidiaries)

  • a company controlled by a holding company: a subsidiary of Cable and Wireless the firm’s Spanish subsidiary

Derivatives

subsidiarily

adverb

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the sense 'serving to help or supplement'): from Latin subsidiarius, from subsidium 'support, assistance' (see subsidy)

Spelling help

Remember that subsidiary is spelled with -iary at the end.

subsidiary in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of subsidiary in the US English dictionary

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