a. [ad. L. *submissīvus, f. submiss-, pa. ppl. stem of submittĕre to SUBMIT. Cf. It. sommessivo.]
1. Of persons, their actions, words, attributes, etc.: Disposed or inclined to submit; yielding to power or authority; marked by submission or humble and ready obedience.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, III. (1598), 335. With the most submissiue maner his behauiour could yeeld.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., IV. i. 92. Submissiue fall his princely feete before. Ibid. (1596), Tam. Shr., Ind. i. 53. A lowe submissiue reuerence.
1640. Brome, Antipodes, III. ii. Ile bring him on submissive knees.
1670. Pettus, Fodinæ Reg., 34. It might be added with a submissive Confidence, that [etc.].
1742. Wesley, Hymn, ‘O for a heart.’ An heart resign’d, submissive, meek.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., xxxvi. (1788), II. 326. His applications for peace became each hour more submissive.
1831. Scott, Ct. Robt., xxv. With pious and submissive prayers, the Countess closed that eventful evening.
1841. D’Israeli, Amen. Lit. (1867), 59. Feeble sovereigns and a submissive people could not advance into national greatness.
1868. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1877), II. App. 620. To represent Godwine as a model of submissive loyalty towards Eadward.
b. Const. to.
1686. trans. Chardin’s Trav. Persia, 238. This Prince is not … so submissive to his Orders, as the other Viceroys.
1757. W. Wilkie, Epigoniad, III. 56. His manly voice my horses will obey, And move submissive to his firmer sway.
1869. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1875), III. xii. 134. As little submissive to lawful authority as his forefather.
1907. Verney Mem., I. 458. Advising his quarrelsome sister … to be submissive to her husband.
c. fig. Of material things.
a. 1721. Prior, 2nd Hymn Callim., 6. The sever’d Bars Submissive clink against their brazen Portals.
† 2. a. = SUBMISS 2. Obs. rare.
a. 1652. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., VI. vii. (1821), 253. Inquiring with a submissive voice, as if he had been at his private prayers, Shall I do so, or so?
† b. Restrained. Obs. rare.
1753. Hanway, Trav. (1762), II. I. xii. 62. If we consider what is due to health,… to moderate passions, submissive appetites.
