Latin Etymology Literally "under key"; from sub (“under”) + clāve, ablative form of clāvis (“key”). Pronunciation (Classical Latin) IPA(key): /sub ˈklaː.u̯e/, [s̠ʊb ˈkɫ̪äːu̯ɛ] (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /sub ˈkla.ve/, [sub ˈkläːve] Adverb sub clāve (not comparable) locked up, under lock and key Related terms clāvis conclāveWikiwand - on Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.