The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word NETHER
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
N
E
T
H
E
R
More clues leading to the result NETHER
- Lower number follows unspecified one
- These regions are hell!
- Woman’s behind curtain material in the lower area
- A stone the reptile hides under
- Number after number that’s lower?
- Subordinate gives name and number
- Lower in tone, the remarks
- Lower gas number
- Name and number for subordinate
- Bit of noxious air from bottom
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Subordinate" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case subordinate = nether.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does NETHER mean?
NETHER adjective- Lower; under.
- Lying beneath, or conceived as lying beneath, the Earth’s surface.
- Down; downward.
- Low; low down.
- Oppression; stress; a withering or stunting influence.
- A trouble; a fault or dislocation in a seam of coal.
- To bring or thrust down; bring or make low; lower; abase; humble.
- To constrict; straiten; confine; restrict; suppress; lay low; keep under; press in upon; vex; harass; oppress.
- To pinch or stunt with cold or hunger; check in growth; shrivel; straiten.
- To shrink or huddle, as with cold; be shivery; tremble.
- To depreciate; disparage; undervalue.