under

under
below, beneath, under
These three words appear to be synonymous, but many contexts call for one in preference to another. Beneath is somewhat more literary in use. Under in its physical sense is rather more literal than the other two: under the bridge means directly underneath it, whereas beneath the bridge suggests a wider area, and below the bridge can also mean downstream from it. It is customary to say below par, below the belt, to go below (in a ship), the information below, the temperature is below 20 degrees; conversely a man under 40, under one's breath, incomes under £10,000, under the sun, under the circumstances, under one's thumb, under sentence of death, and beneath contempt, be beneath one.

Modern English usage. 2014.

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  • Under — Un der, prep. [AS. under, prep. & adv.; akin to OFries. under, OS. undar, D. onder, G. unter, OHG. untar, Icel. undir, Sw. & Dan. under, Goth. undar, L. infra below, inferior lower, Skr. adhas below. [root]201. Cf. {Inferior}.] 1. Below or lower …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Under — Un der, adv. In a lower, subject, or subordinate condition; in subjection; used chiefly in a few idiomatic phrases; as, to bring under, to reduce to subjection; to subdue; to keep under, to keep in subjection; to control; to go under, to be… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Under — Un der, a. Lower in position, intensity, rank, or degree; subject; subordinate; generally in composition with a noun, and written with or without the hyphen; as, an undercurrent; undertone; underdose; under garment; underofficer; undersheriff.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • under — I. adverb Etymology: Middle English, adverb & preposition, from Old English; akin to Old High German untar under, Latin inferus situated beneath, lower, infra below, Sanskrit adha Date: before 12th century 1. in or into a position below or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • under — See: CUT THE GROUND FROM UNDER, GO UNDER, OUT FROM UNDER, SNOW UNDER …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • under — See: CUT THE GROUND FROM UNDER, GO UNDER, OUT FROM UNDER, SNOW UNDER …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Under arms — Under Un der, prep. [AS. under, prep. & adv.; akin to OFries. under, OS. undar, D. onder, G. unter, OHG. untar, Icel. undir, Sw. & Dan. under, Goth. undar, L. infra below, inferior lower, Skr. adhas below. [root]201. Cf. {Inferior}.] 1. Below or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Under canvas — Under Un der, prep. [AS. under, prep. & adv.; akin to OFries. under, OS. undar, D. onder, G. unter, OHG. untar, Icel. undir, Sw. & Dan. under, Goth. undar, L. infra below, inferior lower, Skr. adhas below. [root]201. Cf. {Inferior}.] 1. Below or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Under fire — Under Un der, prep. [AS. under, prep. & adv.; akin to OFries. under, OS. undar, D. onder, G. unter, OHG. untar, Icel. undir, Sw. & Dan. under, Goth. undar, L. infra below, inferior lower, Skr. adhas below. [root]201. Cf. {Inferior}.] 1. Below or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Under foot — Under Un der, prep. [AS. under, prep. & adv.; akin to OFries. under, OS. undar, D. onder, G. unter, OHG. untar, Icel. undir, Sw. & Dan. under, Goth. undar, L. infra below, inferior lower, Skr. adhas below. [root]201. Cf. {Inferior}.] 1. Below or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Under ground — Under Un der, prep. [AS. under, prep. & adv.; akin to OFries. under, OS. undar, D. onder, G. unter, OHG. untar, Icel. undir, Sw. & Dan. under, Goth. undar, L. infra below, inferior lower, Skr. adhas below. [root]201. Cf. {Inferior}.] 1. Below or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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