beneath and covered by:under a table; under a tree.
below the surface of:under water; under the skin.
at a point or position lower or further down than:He was hit just under his eye.
in the position or state of bearing, supporting, sustaining, enduring, etc.:to sink under a heavy load.
beneath the heading or within the category of:Classify the books under "Fiction'' and "General.''
as designated, indicated, or represented by:to register under a new name.
below in degree, amount, etc.; less than:purchased under cost.
below in rank; of less dignity, importance, or the like:A corporal is under a sergeant.
subject to the authority, direction, or supervision of:a bureau functioning under the prime minister.
subject to the instruction or advice of:to study the violin under Heifetz.
subject to the influence, condition, force, etc., of:under these circumstances; born under the sign of Taurus.
protected, controlled, or watched by:under guard.
authorized, warranted, or attested by:under one's hand or seal.
in accordance with:under the provisions of the law.
during the rule, administration, or government of:new laws passed under President Reagan.
in the state or process of:under repair; a matter under consideration.
Nauticalpowered by the means indicated:under sail; under steam.
under wraps. See wrap (def. 16).
adv.
below or beneath something:Go over the fence, not under.
beneath the surface.
in a lower place.
in a lower degree, amount, etc.:selling blouses for $25 and under.
in a subordinate position or condition.
in or into subjection or submission.
go under:
to give in; succumb; yield:She tried desperately to fight off her drowsiness, but felt herself going under.
to fail in business:After 20 years on the same corner they finally went under.
adj.
beneath or on the underside:the under threads of the embroidery.
lower in position.
lower in degree, amount, etc.
lower in rank or condition.
subject to the control, effect, etc., as of a person, drug, or force:The hypnotist had her subject under at once. The patient was under as soon as he breathed the anesthetic.
bef. 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch onder, German unter, Old Norse undir, Latin inferus located below
2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See 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).