/ ˈʌndə(r); NAmE / preposition , adverb , adjective
■ preposition
1.
in, to or through a position that is below sth :
Have you looked under the bed?
She placed the ladder under (= just lower than) the window.
The dog squeezed under the gate and ran into the road.
2.
below the surface of sth; covered by sth :
The boat lay under several feet of water.
3.
less than; younger than :
an annual income of under £10 000
It took us under an hour.
Nobody under 18 is allowed to buy alcohol.
4.
used to say who or what controls, governs or manages sb/sth :
The country is now under martial law.
The coinage was reformed under Elizabeth I (= when she was queen) .
She has a staff of 19 working under her.
Under its new conductor, the orchestra has established an international reputation.
5.
according to an agreement, a law or a system :
Six suspects are being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Under the terms of the lease you had no right to sublet the property.
Is the television still under guarantee?
6.
experiencing a particular process :
The hotel is still under construction.
The matter is under investigation.
7.
affected by sth :
The wall collapsed under the strain.
I've been feeling under stress lately.
I'm under no illusions about what hard work this will be.
You'll be under anaesthetic, so you won't feel a thing.
8.
using a particular name :
She also writes under the pseudonym of Barbara Vine.
9.
found in a particular part of a book, list, etc. :
If it's not under 'sports', try looking under 'games'.
■ adverb
1.
below sth :
He pulled up the covers and crawled under.
2.
below the surface of water :
She took a deep breath and stayed under for more than a minute.
The boat was going under fast.
3.
less; younger :
prices of ten dollars and under
children aged 12 and under
4.
in or into an unconscious state :
He felt himself going under.
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] lower; underneath :
the under layer
the under surface of a leaf
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch onder and German unter .