under
UK: ˈʌndə | US: ˈʌndər
Definition
prep. in or to a position below or beneath something
prep. less than the required amount or standard
adv. in or into a lower position or state
Structure
under <below>
Etymology
The word "under" originates from Old English under, which shares roots with Proto-Germanic under and Proto-Indo-European ndher- (meaning "below"). It has retained its core spatial meaning across centuries, evolving to also convey metaphorical inferiority or insufficiency (e.g., "underpaid"). Its simplicity as a standalone morpheme reflects its ancient, unbroken usage in Germanic languages.
Examples
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