under

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

Fruit put in bottles, and the bottles let down into wells under water, will keep long.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]

Be gathered now, ye waters under heaven, Into one place.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.Hence, in many figurative uses which may be classified as follows; [1913 Webster] (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. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]

Both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin.— Rom. iii. 9.[1913 Webster]

That led the embattled seraphim to war Under thy conduct.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

Who have their provand Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows For sinking under them. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (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. [1913 Webster]

Three sons he dying left under age.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]

Medicines take effect sometimes under, and sometimes above, the natural proportion of their virtue.— Hooker.[1913 Webster]

There are several hundred parishes in England under twenty pounds a year.— Swift.[1913 Webster]

It was too great an honor for any man under a duke.— Addison.[1913 Webster]

Note: Hence, it sometimes means at, with, or for, less than; as, he would not sell the horse under sixty dollars. [1913 Webster]

Several young men could never leave the pulpit under half a dozen conceits. --Swift. [1913 Webster] (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 asleep. [1913 Webster]

A crew who, under names of old renown . . . abused Fanatic Egypt.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

Mr. Duke may be mentioned under the double capacity of a poet and a divine.— Felton.[1913 Webster]

Under this head may come in the several contests and wars betwixt popes and the secular princes. --C. Leslie. [1913 Webster] (d) Less specifically, denoting the relation of being subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like; as, a bill under discussion. [1913 Webster]

Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood, Under amazement of their hideous change.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

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, n.

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, prep.

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 land.

Under 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. [1913 Webster]

Under 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. [1913 Webster]

I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection. --1 Cor. ix. 27. [1913 Webster]

The minstrel fell, but the foeman's chain Could not bring his proud soul under. --Moore. [1913 Webster]

Note: 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. [1913 Webster]