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under-

pref.

1. Beneath or below in position: underground.

2. Inferior or subordinate in rank or importance: undersecretary.

3. Less in degree, rate, or quantity than normal or proper: undersized.

[Middle English, from Old English; see dher- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

un·der

(ŭndər)

prep.

a. In a lower position or place than: a rug under a chair.

b. To or into a lower position or place than: rolled the ball under the couch.

2. Beneath the surface of: under the ground; swam under water.

3. Beneath the assumed surface or guise of: traveled under a false name.

4. Less than; smaller than: The jar's capacity is under three quarts.

5. Less than the required amount or degree of: under voting age.

6. Inferior to in status or rank: nine officers under me at headquarters.

7. Subject to the authority, rule, or control of: under a dictatorship.

8. Subject to the supervision, instruction, or influence of: under parental guidance.

9. Undergoing or receiving the effects of: under constant care.

10. Subject to the restraint or obligation of: under contract.

11. Within the group or classification of: listed under biology.

12. In the process of: under discussion.

13. In view of; because of: under these conditions.

14. With the authorization of: under the monarch's seal.

15. Sowed or planted with: an acre under oats.

16. Nautical Powered or propelled by: under sail; under steam.

17. During the time conventionally assigned to (a sign of the zodiac): born under Aries.

adv.

1. In or into a place below or beneath: struggled in the water but then slipped under.

2. So as to be covered or enveloped: arranged the blankets so the kids were completely under.

3. So as to be less than the required amount or degree: 10 degrees or under.

4. So as to be rendered unconscious, as by an anesthetic: Doctors put the patient under.

5. In or into a condition of ruin or death: businesses that have gone under.

adj.

1. Located or situated on a lower level or beneath something else: the under parts of a machine.

2. Lower in rank, power, or authority; subordinate.

3. Less than is required or customary: an under dose of medication.

Idiom:

out from under Informal

Having gotten free of worries or difficulties: Credit counseling helped us get out from under.

[Middle English, from Old English; see dher- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

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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