First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1beneath
adverb be·neath \bi-ˈnēth, bē-\
: in or to a lower position
Full Definition of BENEATH
1
: in or to a lower position : below <the mountains and the towns beneath>
2
: directly under : underneath
See beneath defined for English-language learners
See beneath defined for kids
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Origin of BENEATH
Middle English benethe, from Old English beneothan, from be- + neothan below; akin to Old English nithera nether — more at nether
Related to BENEATH
- Synonyms
- below, under, underneath
- Antonyms
- up
2beneath
preposition
: in or to a lower position than (something or someone)
: directly under (something or someone)
: not worthy of (someone) : not good enough for (someone)
Full Definition of BENEATH
1
a : in or to a lower position than : below <beneath the surface> b : directly under <the ground beneath her feet> c : at the foot of <a camp beneath a hill>
2
: not suitable to the rank of : unworthy of <beneath his dignity>
3
: under the control, pressure, or influence of <the chair sagged beneath his weight>
4
: concealed by : under the guise of <a warm heart beneath a gruff manner>
See beneath defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BENEATH
before 12th century
BENEATH Defined for Kids
1beneath
adverb be·neath \bi-ˈnēth\
Definition of BENEATH for Kids
1
: in a lower place <the mountains and the town beneath>
2
: directly under <Look at the picture and read what is beneath.>
2beneath
preposition
Definition of BENEATH for Kids
1
: in or to a lower position than : below <The sun sank beneath the horizon.>
2
: directly under (something or someone) <the ground beneath our feet>
3
: not worthy of <She thinks this work is beneath her.>
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