Defn: The principal theme, or leading thought or phrase, on which a composition or a movement is based. The earliest known form of subject is the ecclesiastical cantus firmus, or plain song. Rockstro.
10. (Fine Arts)
Defn: The incident, scene, figure, group, etc., which it is the aim of the artist to represent.
SUBJECT
Sub*ject", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Subjected; p. pr. & vb. n.
Subjecting.]
1. To bring under control, power, or dominion; to make subject; to subordinate; to subdue. Firmness of mind that subjects every gratification of sense to the rule of right reason. C. Middleton. In one short view subjected to our eye, Gods, emperors, heroes, sages, beauties, lie. Pope. He is the most subjected, the most Locke.
2. To expose; to make obnoxious or liable; as, credulity subjects a person to impositions.
3. To submit; to make accountable. God is not bound to subject his ways of operation to the scrutiny of our thoughts. Locke.
4. To make subservient. Subjected to his service angel wings. Milton.
5. To cause to undergo; as, to subject a substance to a white heat; to subject a person to a rigid test.
SUBJECTED
Sub*ject"ed, a.