"subset"

[Odessa Dawn]

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"Thus, rumor is a concept that lacks a particular definition in the social sciences. But most theories agree that rumor involves some kind of a statement whose veracity is not quickly or ever confirmed. In addition, some scholars have identified rumor as a subset of propaganda, the latter another notoriously difficult concept to define."
More: Rumor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Is subset a compound word? Does sub- function as a prefix? I think that propaganda is a set while rumor is a subset. In other words, rumor descended from propaganda for which I am [STRIKE]in[/STRIKE] of two minds. I couldn't figure out "sub-" whether it is a prefix.
subset noun
sub- - Wiktionary

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[Gillnetter]

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"Thus, rumor is a concept that lacks a particular definition in the social sciences. But most theories agree that rumor involves some kind of a statement whose veracity is not quickly or ever confirmed. In addition, some scholars have identified rumor as a subset of propaganda, the latter another notoriously difficult concept to define."
More: Rumor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Is subset a compound word?(Sub set) Does sub- function as a prefix? I think that propaganda is a set while rumor is a subset (Yes). In other words, rumor descended (Not as much descended from as is a part of) from propaganda for which I am[STRIKE] in[/STRIKE] of two minds. I couldn't figure out "sub-" whether it is a prefix.
subset noun
sub- - Wiktionary

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"sub" means under, or less than. "set", here, is a group, the members of which have some common features. A "subset" then, is a set which is less than, and contained in, another set. The writer is saying that rumor may be part (a subset) of a larger group called propaganda. You may want to look at a Venn Diagram for a better understanding of sets.

 

[SoothingDave]

Every member of a subset is a member of the larger set, but not every member of the larger set is a member of the subset.

For example, we could have a set of "hats" and "baseball hats" would be a subset. All baseball hats are hats, but not all hats are baseball hats.