prep. & adv.
--prep.
1. lower in position (vertically, down a slope or stream, etc.) than.
2 beneath the surface of; at or to a greater depth than (head below water; below 500 feet).
3 lower or less than in amount or degree (below freezing-point; temperature is 20 below).
4 lower in rank, position, or importance than.
5 unworthy of.
--adv.
1. at or to a lower point or level.
2 a downstairs (lives below). b downstream.
3 (of a text reference) further forward on a page or in a book (as noted below).
4 on the lower side (looks similar above and below).
5 rhet. on earth; in hell.
Phrases and idioms:
below stairs in the basement of a house esp. as the part occupied by servants.
Etymology: BE- + LOW(1)