Origin: Latin prefix sub-
Subaltern has 4 different meanings across 2 categories:
a British commissioned army officer below the rank of captain
A subordinate.
inferior in rank or status
"the junior faculty"
"a lowly corporal"
"petty officialdom"
"a subordinate functionary"
Of a lower rank or position; inferior or secondary; especially (military) ranking as a junior officer, below the rank of captain.