under

Under is defined as below, less than or covered.

(preposition)

An example of under is a trash can located below a kitchen sink.
An example of under is someone's blood alcohol level being below the illegal level.
An example of under is laying beneath a blanket.

See under in Webster's New World College Dictionary

in, at, or to a position down from; lower than; below: shoes under the bed, under a blazing sun
beneath the surface of: under water
below and to the other side of: we drove under a bridge
covered, surmounted, enveloped, or concealed by: to wear a vest under a coat
1. lower in authority, position, power, etc. than
2. lower in value, amount, etc. than; less than
3. lower than the required or standard degree of: under the age specified for the job
in a position or condition regarded as lower than or inferior to, or implying subordination to; specif.,
1. subject to the control, limitations, government, direction, instruction, or influence of: under orders from the President, under oath, born under Aries
2. burdened, oppressed, or distressed by: under a strain
3. subjected to; undergoing: under an anesthetic, under repair
with the character, pretext, disguise, or cover of: under an alias
in or included in (the designated category, division, class, etc.): spiders are classified under arachnids
during the rule of: literature flourished under Elizabeth I
being the subject of: the question under discussion
having regard for; because of: under the circumstances
authorized or attested by: under her signature
planted with; sown with: an acre under corn

Origin: ME < OE, akin to Ger unter < IE *ṇdhos, *ṇdheri, under > L infra, below

adverb

adjective

lower in position, authority, rank, amount, degree, etc.

Origin: ME < OE: see under

See under in American Heritage Dictionary 4

preposition

a. In a lower position or place than: a rug under a chair.
b. To or into a lower position or place than: rolled the ball under the couch.
Beneath the surface of: under the ground; swam under water.
Beneath the assumed surface or guise of: traveled under a false name.
Less than; smaller than: The jar's capacity is under three quarts.
Less than the required amount or degree of: under voting age.
Inferior to in status or rank: nine officers under me at headquarters.
Subject to the authority, rule, or control of: under a dictatorship.
Subject to the supervision, instruction, or influence of: under parental guidance.
Undergoing or receiving the effects of: under constant care.
Subject to the restraint or obligation of: under contract.
Within the group or classification of: listed under biology.
In the process of: under discussion.
In view of; because of: under these conditions.
With the authorization of: under the monarch's seal.
Sowed or planted with: an acre under oats.
Nautical Powered or propelled by: under sail; under steam.
During the time conventionally assigned to (a sign of the zodiac): born under Aries.

adverb

In or into a place below or beneath: struggled in the water but then slipped under.
In or into a subordinate or inferior condition or position.
So as to be covered or enveloped.
So as to be less than the required amount or degree.

adjective

Located or situated on a lower level or beneath something else: the under parts of a machine.
Lower in rank, power, or authority; subordinate.
Less than is required or customary: an under dose of medication.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English; see ṇdher- in Indo-European roots

prefix