Un'der1, prep.
prep. [A-S. under, O. Sax. & Goth. undar, O. Fries. under, onder, L. Ger. under, unner, D. onder, Icel. undir, Sw. & Dan. under, O. H. Ger. undar, N. H. Ger. unter, allied to Lat. inter, Skr. antar.]
Sense 1. In a lower position with respect to; so as to be covered, overhung, or overtopped by; lower than; beneath; below;—the correlative of over, above, upon, on; as, he stood under a tree; the carriage is under cover; a cellar under the whole house.
Bottles let down into wells under water will keep long. Bacon.
Be gathered now, ye waters under heaven, Into one place. Milton.
Sense 2. Hence, in many figurative uses which may be classified as follows: (a.) In relation to some thing or person that is superior, weighs upon, oppresses, bows down, governs, directs, powerfully influences, or the like; in a relation of subjection, subordination, obligation, liability, and 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 you enter upon your office; under the necessity of obeying the laws; under vows of chastity.
That led the embattled seraphim to war Under thy conduct. Milton.
Bearing burdens and sore blows For sinking under them. Shak.
We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. Rom. iii. 9.
(b.) In relation to something that exceeds in rank or degree, in number, size, weight, and the like; in a relation of the less to the greater, of inferiority, or of falling short.
Medicines take effect sometimes under, and sometimes over, the natural proportion of their virtue. Hooker.
There are several 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.) In relation to something that comprehends or includes, that represents or designates, that furnishes a cover, pretext, pretense, or the like; as, the American Revolution commenced under the administration of Lord North; Morpheus is represented under the figure of a boy asleep; under the name of friendship. “A crew who under names of old renown.” Milton.
The duke may be mentioned under the double capacity of a poet and a divine. Felton.
Under this head, may be mentioned the contests between the popes and the secular princes. Lesley.
(d.) Less specifically, in the relation of being subject of undergoing regard, treatment, and the like; as, a bill under discussion; the enemy landed under cover of their batteries.
Abject and lost lay these, covering the flood, Under amazement of their hideous change. Milton.
To knock under. See KNOCK.—Under arms (Mil.), drawn up in readiness to use arms.—Under fire, with exposure to fire; exposed to an enemy’s shot.—Under ground, below the surface of the ground.—Under one's signature. See OVER.—Under sail (Naut.), moved by sails; in motion.—Under sentence, having sentence pronounced against.—Under the breath, with low voice; very softly.—Under the lee (Naut.), to the leeward; as, under the lee of the land.—Under the rose. See ROSE.—Under water, below the surface of the water.—Under way (Naut.), in a condition to make progress; hence, in progress; having started.