Nēth'er, a.

a. [A-S. niðhera, neoðhera, compar., lower, superl. niðhemest, from niðhor, niðher, down, compar. niðrōr, superl. niðhemest, from niðe, niðh, down; D. neder, Ger. nieder, Sw. nedre, a. & adv.] Situated down or below; lying or being beneath, or in the lower part; having a lower position; belonging to the region below; lower;— opposed to upper. “’Twist upper, nether, and surrounding fires.” Milton.

This darksome nether world her light Doth dim with horror and deformity. Spenser.

Distorted all my nether shape thus grew Transformed. Milton.