Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Under
Un′der
(ŭn′dẽr)
, p
rep.
[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
below, inferior
lower, Skr. adhas
below. √201. Cf. Inferior
.] 1.
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.Fruit put in bottles, and the bottles let down into wells
under
water, will keep long. Bacon.
Be gathered now, ye waters
Into one place.
under
heaven,Into one place.
Milton.
2.
Hence, in many figurative uses which may be classified as follows; –(a)
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.
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
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking
under
them. Shakespeare
(b)
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.
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 several 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, less 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.
(c)
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 asleepA crew who,
Fanatic Egypt.
under
names of old renown . . . abusedFanatic Egypt.
Milton.
Mr. Duke may be mentioned
under
the double capacity of a poet and a divine. Felton.
Under
this head may come in the several contests and wars betwixt popes and the secular princes. C. Leslie.
(d)
Less specifically, denoting the relation of being subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like;
as, a bill
. under
discussionAbject and lost, lay these, covering the flood,
Under
amazement of their hideous change. Milton.
Under arms
. (Mil.)
(a)
Drawn up fully armed and equipped.
(b)
Enrolled for military service;
– as, the state has a million men
. under arms
Under canvas
. (a)
(Naut.)
Moved or propelled by sails; – said of any vessel with her sail set, but especially of a steamer using her sails only, as distinguished from one under steam. Under steam and canvas signifies that a vessel is using both means of propulsion.
(b)
(Mil.)
Provided with, or sheltered in, tents.
– Under fire
, exposed to an enemy’s fire; taking part in a battle or general engagement.
– Under foot
. See under
– Foot
, Noun.
Under ground
, below the surface of the ground.
– Under one's signature
, with one's signature or name subscribed; attested or confirmed by one's signature. Cf. the second Note under
– Over
, p
rep.
Under sail
. (Naut.)
(a)
With anchor up, and under the influence of sails; moved by sails; in motion.
(b)
With sails set, though the anchor is down.
(c)
Same as
Under canvas
(a)
, above. Totten.
– Under sentence
, having had one's sentence pronounced.
– Under the breath
, Under one's breath
with low voice; very softly.
– Under the lee
(Naut.)
, to the leeward;
– as,
. under the lee
of the landUnder the gun
. Under psychological pressure, such as the need to meet a pressing deadline; feeling pressured
– Under water
, below the surface of the water.
– Under way
, or
Under weigh
(Naut.)
, in a condition to make progress; having started.
Un′der
(ŭn′dẽr)
, 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; to go bankruptI keep
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
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.
Un′der
,Adj.
Lower in position, intensity, rank, or degree; subject; subordinate; – generally in composition with a noun, and written with or without the hyphen;
as, an
. under
current; under
tone; under
dose; under
-garment; under
officer; under
sheriffUnder covert
(Zool.)
, one of the feathers situated beneath the bases of the quills in the wings and tail of a bird. See Illust. under
Bird
.Webster 1828 Edition
Under
UNDER
, prep.1.
Beneath; below; so as to have something over or above. He stood under a tree; the carriage is under cover. We may see things under water; we have a cellar under the whole house.2.
In a state of pupilage or subjection; as a youth under a tutor; a ward under a guardian; colonies under the British government. I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. Matt. 8.
3.
In a less degree than. The effect of medicine is sometimes under and sometimes above or over its natural strength.4.
For less than. He would not sell the horse under forty pounds.5.
Less than; below. There are parishes in England under forty pounds a year.6.
With the pretense of; with the cover or pretext of. He does this under the name of love. This argument is not to be evaded under some plausible distinction.7.
With less than.Several young men could never leave the pulpit under half a dozen conceits.
8.
In a degree, state or rank inferior to.It was too great an honor for any man under a duke.
9.
In a state of being loaded; in a state of bearing or being burdened; as, to travel under a heavy load; to live under extreme oppression.10.
In a state of oppression or subjection to, the state in which a person is considered as bearing or having any thing laid upon him; as, 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.11.
In a state of liability or obligation. No man shall trespass but under the pains and penalties of the law. Attend to the conditions under which you enter upon your office. We are under the necessity of obeying the laws. Nuns are under vows of chastity. We all lie under the curse of the law, until redeemed by Christ.12.
In the state of bearing and being known by; as men trading under the firm of Wright & Co.13.
In the state of; in the enjoyment or possession of. We live under the gospel dispensation.14.
During the time of. The American revolution commenced under the administration of lord North.15.
Not having reached or arrived to; below. He left three sons under age.16.
Represented by; in the form of. Morpheus is represented under the figure of a boy asleep. [But morph, in Ethiopic, signifies cessation, rest.]17.
In the state of protection or defense. Under favor of the prince, our author was promoted. The enemy landed under cover of their batteries.18.
As bearing a particular character.The duke may be mentioned under the double capacity of a poet and a divine.
19.
Being contained or comprehended in.Under this head may be mentioned the contests between the popes and the secular princes.
20.
Attested by; signed by. Here is a deed under his hand and seal.He has left us evidence under his own hand.
21.
In a state of being handled, treated or discussed, or of being the subject of. The bill is now under discussion. We shall have the subject under consideration next week.22.
In subordination to. Under God, this is our only safety.23.
In subjection or bondage to; ruled or influenced by; in a moral sense; within the dominion of.They are all under sin. Rom. 3.
Under a signature, bearing, as a name or title.
Under way, in seamen's language, moving; in a condition to make progress.
To keep under, to hold in subjection or control; to restrain.
I keep under my body. 1Cor. 9.