beneath

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   Below or underneath.

   Of all the transitions brought about on the Earth’s surface by temperature change, the melting of ice into water is the starkest. It is binary. And for the land beneath, the air above and the life around, it changes everything.

2. 2
   prep

   Below.

   Our country sinks beneath the yoke.

3. 3
   prep

   In a position that is lower in rank, dignity, etc.

   Their despicable behaviour is beneath contempt.

4. 4
   adv

   in or to a place that is lower

5. 5
   prep

   Covered up or concealed by something.

Etymology

From Middle English benethe, from Old English bineoþan (“beneath, under, below”), equivalent to be- + neath. Cognate with Low German benedden (“beneath”), Dutch beneden (“beneath, under, down”), obsolete German benieden (“below”).