(prep.) Below or lower, in place or position, with the idea of
being covered; lower than; beneath; -- opposed to over; as, he stood
under a tree; the carriage is under cover; a cellar extends under the
whole house.
(prep.) Denoting relation to some thing or person 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 heavy 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.
(prep.) Denoting relation to something that exceeds in rank or
degree, in number, size, weight, age, or the like; in a relation of the
less to the greater, of inferiority, or of falling short.
(prep.) 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.
(prep.) Less specifically, denoting the relation of being
subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like; as, a bill under
discussion.
(adv.) In a lower, subject, or subordinate condition; in
subjection; -- used chiefly in a few idiomatic phrases; as, to bring
under, to reduce to subjection; to subdue; to keep under, to keep in
subjection; to control; to go under, to be unsuccessful; to fail.
(a.) Lower in position, intensity, rank, or degree; subject;
subordinate; -- generally in composition with a noun, and written with
or without the hyphen; as, an undercurrent; undertone; underdose;
under-garment; underofficer; undersheriff.
