Word before "subject" or "loser" (4)
I believe the answer is:
sore
'word before subject or loser' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for sore that I've seen before include "See 16" , "Hard" , "Feeling pain or informally angry" , "Causing or suffering pain" , "Rose (anag.)" .)