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subunit

subunit

3 4.0
A smaller part of a larger thing that works with other parts, like a team or part of a protein
  • noun
  • /ˈsʌbˌjunɪt/
translation icon : subunidad
  • The research team is divided into several subunits that focus on different aspects of the project.
  • subunit vaccine
  • cytochrome c subunit
  • protein subunits

But within that, within the subunits, you have these dramatic scenes and dramatic scenes can use the same structure.

Examples

  • Here you see alpha subunit, beta, gamma, they're all shown in green.

  • From the third to the seventh subunits, the curriculum divides world history into two parts: Asian history and European history.

    Academic text (2003)
  • It's a small surveillance subunit, but it's mine.

  • All the subunits are the same.

  • In fact, it was more oriented to being a subunit of trade and industrial education.

    Academic text (2013)
  • How about if I just take these pieces of a virus, like some structural subunit, some piece of protein, and use that as a vaccine?

  • The image also shows how the next subunit, marked "A" at the lower right, twines inside this one.

    Academic text (1995)
  • To understand them, the dynamic and often remarkably complex interactions among the subunits must be taken into account.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Tetanus toxoid is a common example of a subunit vaccine.

  • Implementing plans in such a setting is particularly difficult, especially when governmental subunits or agencies are at odds.

    Academic text (1991)

Synonyms

part
vssubunit
1.0

A piece of something that, with others, makes a whole

is specifically a smaller portion of a larger unit
piece
vssubunit
1.0

A part broken or cut from something larger, like a bit of fruit

is an integral smaller section of the unit rather than a removed portion
section
vssubunit
1.0

A part of something larger, like a page, pipe, or fence

is a smaller portion inside the larger unit rather than a broad division
segment
vssubunit
501 3.0

A part of something that is separate from the whole, like a piece of an orange

is smaller and nested as part of the larger unit rather than merely marked off
component
vssubunit
447 3.4

A part of something larger, like a machine or system

focuses on being a smaller section of the overall unit rather than a system element
subpart
vssubunit
28 7.2

A smaller section inside a larger section, for example in a book or manual

is a smaller section of the whole, not only within another part
fragment
vssubunit
  • Specialized
25 4.9

A part of an app used to show content on the screen

is a deliberately defined smaller section of the whole, not a broken part
partition
vssubunit
  • Specialized
12 4.8

A separate area on a disk or computer where files are kept

is a smaller internal section of the whole rather than a formal technical division
component part
vssubunit
3 3.5

A single piece that makes up a larger object

is specifically a smaller section of the whole rather than any element
subdivision
vssubunit
2 4.1

A smaller part of something that has been split, like a chapter or section

is any smaller part of the whole, not only one from a prior split
subcomponent
vssubunit
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A smaller part of a larger machine or system

is a small section of the whole rather than inside a component
subassembly
vssubunit
  • Specialized
1 6.4

A part made separately and later added to a larger product

is any smaller section of the larger structure rather than a preassembled unit
subsegment
vssubunit
5.8

A smaller part of a larger section

is a small part of the whole, not specifically inside a segment

Antonyms

484 1.0

All of something seen as one unit

How Big

unit
504 1.1
component
447 3.4
subunit
3 4.0
fragment
184 3.2

Surface Forms

subunit singular
subunits plural

Morphology

subunit = unit (transparent) = sub + unit

The prefix 'sub-' clearly indicates a smaller or subordinate part of the base word 'unit', making the meaning directly derivable.

Etymology

The word subunit is made of sub- ('under' or 'less') and unit ('one part'), so a subunit is a smaller piece of a larger thing, like one Lego brick in a model or one team inside a company.