Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Morning Post. From classical Latin subvers-, past participial stem of subverteresubvert + -al, after reversal.
Definition of subversal in US English:
subversal
nounsəbˈvəːsl
rare
Subversion.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Morning Post. From classical Latin subvers-, past participial stem of subvertere subvert + -al, after reversal.