under

under [un′dər]

prep.

[ME < OE, akin to Ger unter < IE * ṇdhos, *ṇdheri, under > L infra, below]

1. in, at, or to a position down from; lower than; below [shoes under the bed, under a blazing sun]

2. beneath the surface of [under water]

3. below and to the other side of [we drove under a bridge]

4. covered, surmounted, enveloped, or concealed by [to wear a vest under a coat]

5.

a) lower in authority, position, power, etc. than

b) lower in value, amount, etc. than; less than

c) lower than the required or standard degree of [under the age specified for the job]

6. in a position or condition regarded as lower than or inferior to, or implying subordination to; specif.,

a) subject to the control, limitations, government, direction, instruction, or influence of [under orders from the President, under oath, born under Aries]

b) burdened, oppressed, or distressed by [under a strain]

c) subjected to; undergoing [under an anesthetic, under repair]

7. with the character, pretext, disguise, or cover of [under an alias]

8. in or included in (the designated category, division, class, etc.) [spiders are classified under arachnids]

9. during the rule of [literature flourished under Elizabeth I]

10. being the subject of [the question under discussion]

11. having regard for; because of [under the circumstances]

12. authorized or attested by [under her signature]

13. planted with; sown with [an acre under corn]

adv.

1. in or to a position below something; beneath

2. beneath the surface, as of water

3. in or to a condition that is subordinate

4. so as to be covered or concealed

5. less in amount, value, etc.; not so much [costing two dollars or under]

adj.

lower in position, authority, rank, amount, degree, etc.