In historical and political contexts:
* Subjects of a monarch: This refers to the people who lived within the territory ruled by a king or queen. They were considered to be under the sovereign's authority and owed allegiance to the crown. This term was particularly prominent during feudalism and monarchies.
* Subjects of a state: This term is similar to the above, but it applies to any state or government, not just monarchies. It refers to the individuals who live within the territory of that state and are bound by its laws.
In academic and scientific contexts:
* Subjects of a study: This refers to the individuals or entities that are being observed or experimented on in a research study. They are the focus of the research, providing data that the researchers analyze.
* Subjects of a course: This refers to the topics or areas of knowledge that are covered in a particular course of study. For example, "subjects" in a high school curriculum might include math, science, English, and history.
Other contexts:
* Subject of a painting, photograph, or other artwork: This refers to the main focus of the artwork, the person, object, or scene that the artist chose to depict.
* Subject of a conversation or discussion: This refers to the topic that is being discussed or talked about.
To understand the meaning of "subjects" in a particular context, you need to consider the surrounding information. For example, if you are reading a history book, "subjects" likely refers to people living under a monarchy. If you are reading a scientific paper, "subjects" likely refers to the participants in a research study.