Definition of: subaltern

(sub·ôl′tərn) adjective
1. Brit. Mil. Ranking below a captain.
2. Of inferior rank or position; subordinate, as a species to a genus, or as a particular proposition under a universal.
—noun
1. A person of subordinate rank or position.
2. Brit. Mil. An officer ranking below a captain.
3. (sub′əl·tûrn) Logic A specific class as included under a general one, or a particular statement as deducible from a universal one. [<MF subalterne <LL subalternus <L sub- under + alternus alternate]