Definition of: inferior

(in·fir′ē·ər) adjective
1. Lower in quality, merit, importance, or rank.
2. Biol. Situated or placed lower, as certain parts of the body relative to others; in animals, situated on or pertaining to the lower or ventral side.
3. Later in point of time: the inferior limit of a year.
4. In music, having a lower pitch.
5. Bot. Below some other organ; in a blossom, anterior.
6. Astron. a Between the earth and the sun: an inferior planet. b Below the horizon; below the celestial pole.
7. Printing Set below the level of the line, as small characters without a shoulder below, used in chemical formulas. See synonyms under BAD¹.
—noun One who or that which is classed lower than others; a subordinate. [<L, lower, compar. of inferus low]