In a lower, subject, or subordinate condition; in subjection; used chiefly in a
little idiomatic phrases; as, to
bring under, to
reduce to subjection; to subdue; to
hold under, to
hold in subjection; to control; to go under, to be unsuccessful; to fail. "I
hold under my body, and
bring it
into subjection." (1 Cor. Ix. 27) "The minstrel fell,
but the foeman's
chain Could not
bring his proud
soul under." (Moore)
Under is often used in
composition with a verb to
indicate lowness or
inferiority in position or degree, in the
act named by the verb; as, to underline; to undermine; to underprop.
1. Adown or lower, in
seat or position, with the
idea of
being covered; lower than; beneath; opposed to over; as, he stood
under a wood; the carriage is
under cover; a cellar extends
under the
intact home. "Fruit put in bottles, and the bottles allow
down into wells
under water,
will hold long." (Bacon) "Be gathered now, ye
waters under sky, Into one place." (Milton)
2. Hence, in much figurative uses which may be classified as follows.
Denoting
relation to some thing or
face that is superior, weighs upon, oppresses, bows down, governs, directs, influences powerfully, or the like, in a
relation of subjection, subordination, obligation, liability, or the like; as, to
travel under a
hard load; to
live under extreme oppression; to have fortitude
under the evils of life; to have
patience under pain, or
under misfortunes; to behave
like a Christian
under reproaches and injuries;
under the pains and penalties of the law; the
condition under which one enters
upon an office;
under the
necessity of obeying the laws;
under vows of chastity. "Both Jews and Gentiles . . . Are all
under sin." (Rom. Iii. 9) "That led the embattled seraphim to
war Under thy conduct." (Milton) "Who have their provand Only for
bearing burdens, and
sore blows For sinking
under them." (Shak)
Denoting
relation to something that exceeds in
rank or degree, in number, size, weight, age, or the like; in a
relation of the smaller to the greater, of inferiority, or of
falling short. "Three sons he dying
left under age." (Spenser) "Medicines
take effect sometimes under, and sometimes above, the
natural proportion of their virtue." (Hooker) "There are different
hundred parishes in England
under twenty pounds a year." (Swift) "It was too great an
honor for any
man under a duke." (Addison)
Hence, it sometimes means at, with, or for, smaller than; as, he would not
sell the
horse under sixty dollars. "Several
young men could never
leave the pulpit
under half a dozen conceits." (Swift)
Denoting
relation to something that comprehends or includes, that represents or designates, that furnishes a cover, pretext, pretense, or the like; as, he betrayed
him under the
guise of friendship; Morpheus is represented
under the
figure of a
boy asleep. "A crew who,
under names of
old renown . . . Abused Fanatic Egypt." (Milton) "Mr. Duke may be mentioned
under the
double ability of a poet and a divine." (Felton) "Under
this head may come in the different contests and wars betwixt popes and the
secular princes." (C. Leslie)
Less specifically, denoting the
relation of
being subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like; as, a
count under discussion. "Abject and lost,
lay these,
covering the flood, Under amazement of their hideous change." (Milton) Under arms.
In a condition to create progress; having started.
Origin: AS. Under, prep. & adv.; akin to OFries. Under, OS. Undar, D. Onder, G. Unter, OHG. Untar, Icel. Undir, Sw. & Dan. Under, Goth. Undar, L. Infra adown, inferior lower, Skr. Adhas adown. Cf. Inferior.
Lower in position, intensity, rank, or degree; subject; subordinate; usually in composition with a noun, and written with or without the hyphen; as, an undercurrent; undertone; underdose; under-garment; underofficer; undersheriff.
Under covert, one of the feathers located beneath the bases of the quills in the wings and tail of a bird.
Source: Websters Vocabulary