under-
prefix 1. below or beneath: underarm; underground.
2. of lesser importance or lower rank: undersecretary.
3. to a lesser degree than is proper; insufficient or insufficiently: undercharge; underemployed.
4. indicating secrecy or deception: underhand.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
un•der
(ˈʌn dər)
prep. 1. beneath and covered by: under a tree.
2. below the surface of: under water.
3. at a point lower than: a bump just under his eye.
4. in the position of sustaining, enduring, etc.: to sink under a heavy load.
5. beneath the cover or disguise of: registered under a pseudonym.
6. beneath the heading of: Classify the books under “Fiction.”
7. below in degree, amount, etc.; less than: purchased under cost.
8. below in rank.
9. subject to the authority or influence of: a bureau under the president.
10. in accordance with: under the provisions of the law.
11. during the administration or reign of: laws passed under President Lincoln.
12. in the state or process of: under construction.
adv. 13. below or beneath something: Go over the fence, not under.
14. beneath the surface.
15. in a lower degree, amount, etc.: shirts for $25 and under.
16. in a subordinate position or condition.
17. go under, a. to give in; succumb.
b. to fail in business.
adj. 18. located beneath or on the underside.
19. lower in position.
20. lower in degree, amount, rank, etc.
21. subject to the control, effect, etc., as of a person, drug, or force: I was under throughout the surgery.
[before 900; Middle English, Old English < Latin inferus located below]
under-
a prefixal use of
under, as to indicate place or situation below or beneath (
underbrush; undertow); lower in grade or dignity (
undersheriff; understudy); of lesser degree, extent, or amount (
undersized); or insufficiency (
underfeed).
[Middle English; Old English]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.