under

I. adverb Etymology: Middle English, adverb & preposition, from Old English; akin to Old High German untar under, Latin inferus situated beneath, lower, infra below, Sanskrit adha Date: before 12th century 1. in or into a position below or beneath something 2. below or short of some quantity, level, or limit <

$10 or under

> — often used in combination <

understaffed

> 3. in or into a condition of subjection, subordination, or unconsciousness <

put the patient under for surgery

> 4. down to defeat, ruin, or death <

businesses going under

> 5. so as to be covered <

buried under by the avalanche

> II. preposition Date: before 12th century 1. below or beneath so as to be overhung, surmounted, covered, protected, or concealed by <

under sunny skies

> <

a soft heart under a stern exterior

> <

under cover of darkness

> 2. a. subject to the authority, control, guidance, or instruction of <

served under the general

> <

under the terms of the contract

> <

a program that runs under any operating system

> b. receiving or undergoing the action or effect of <

under pressure

> <

courage under fire

> <

under the influence of alcohol

> <

the image of a point under a mapping

> <

under oath

> 3. a. within the group or designation of <

under this heading

> b. having as name or title <

traveling under an alias

> 4. less or lower than (as in size, amount, or rank); especially falling short of a standard or required degree <

under the legal age

> <

under par

> III. adjective Date: 13th century 1. a. lying or placed below, beneath, or on the ventral side — often used in combination <

underlip

> b. facing or protruding downward 2. lower in rank or authority ; subordinate 3. lower than usual, proper, or desired in amount, quality, or degree — often used in combination <

an under-dose of medicine

>