Inferior \In*fe"ri*or\, a. [L., compar. of inferus that is
below, underneath, the lower; akin to E. under: cf. F.
inf['e]rieur. See {Under}.]
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1. Lower in place, rank, value, excellence, etc.; less
important or valuable; subordinate; underneath; beneath.
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A thousand inferior and particular propositions.
--I. Watts.
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The body, or, as some love to call it, our inferior
nature. --Burke.
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Whether they are equal or inferior to my other
poems, an author is the most improper judge.
--Dryden.
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2. Poor or mediocre; as, an inferior quality of goods.
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3. (Astron.)
(a) Nearer the sun than the earth is; as, the inferior or
interior planets; an inferior conjunction of Mercury
or Venus.
(b) Below the horizon; as, the inferior part of a
meridian.
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4. (Bot.)
(a) Situated below some other organ; -- said of a calyx
when free from the ovary, and therefore below it, or
of an ovary with an adherent and therefore inferior
calyx.
(b) On the side of a flower which is next the bract;
anterior.
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5. (Min.) Junior or subordinate in rank; as, an inferior
officer.
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{Inferior court} (Law), a court subject to the jurisdiction
of another court known as the {superior court}, or {higher court}.
{Inferior letter}, {Inferior figure} (Print.), a small letter
or figure standing at the bottom of the line (opposed to
{superior letter} or figure), as in A2, Bn, 2 and n are
inferior characters.
{Inferior tide}, the tide corresponding to the moon's transit
of the meridian, when below the horizon.
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