Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - inferior

 adjective  Etymology: Middle English, from Latin, comparative of inferus lower — more at under  Date: 15th century  1. situated lower down ; lower  2.  a. of low or lower degree or rank  b. of poor quality ; mediocre  3. of little or less importance, value, or merit always felt ~ to his older brother  4.  a. situated below another and especially another similar superior part of an upright body  b. situated in a relatively low posterior or ventral position in a quadrupedal body  c.  (1) situated below another plant part or organ  (2) abaxial  5. relating to or being a subscript  • ~ noun  • ~ity noun  • ~ly adverb