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be·neath

(bĭ-nēth)

adv.

1. In a lower place; below.

2. Underneath.

prep.

a. Lower than; below: a drawer beneath a cabinet.

b. To or into a lower position than: moved the picture beneath the light.

2. Covered or concealed by: The earth lay beneath a blanket of snow.

3. Under the force, control, or influence of.

a. Lower than, as in rank or station.

b. Unworthy of; unbefitting: It was beneath me to beg.

[Middle English binethe, from Old English beneothan : be, by; see BY¹ + neothan, below.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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