subject

Where does the word "subject" come from? It comes from Latin subicere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Subject’s story begins in Latin: subicere meant “to throw under, to place beneath.” To throw under, from sub- (under) and iacere (to throw). It reached English by 1300s as subject. Settled as the English word for something placed under authority or consideration. Today, subject means a topic being discussed or studied, or a person under the authority of a ruler.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient subicere "to throw under, to place beneath", to throw under, from sub- (under) and iacere (to throw).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s subject "under the authority of another, or a topic of discussion", settled as the English word for something placed under authority or consideration.