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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