subvert

Definition of subvert

Etymology

From Middle English subverten, from Latin subvertō (“to overthrow”, literally “to underturn, turn from beneath”).

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /səbˈvɜːt/, SAMPA: /s@b"v3:t/
• (US) enPR: səbvûrtʹ, IPA: /səbˈvɝt/, SAMPA: /s@b"v3`t/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)t

Verb

subvert (third-person singular simple present subverts, present participle subverting, simple past and past participle subverted)

1. (transitive) To overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly.
2. (transitive) To pervert, as the mind, and turn it from the truth; to corrupt; to confound.
3. (transitive) To upturn convention from the foundation by undermining it (literally, to turn from beneath).