[un.der] adv [ME, adv. & prep., fr. OE; akin to OHG untar under, L inferus situated beneath, lower, infra below, Skt adha] (bef. 12c) 1: in or into a position below or beneath something
2: below or short of some quantity, level, or limit "$10 or ~"--often used in combination "understaffed"
3: in or into a condition of subjection, subordination, or unconsciousness
4: down to defeat, ruin, or death
5: so as to be covered
[2]under prep (bef. 12c) 1: below or beneath so as to be overhung, surmounted, covered, protected, or concealed by "~ sunny skies" "a soft heart ~ a stern exterior" "~ cover of darkness"
2. a: subject to the authority, control, guidance, or instruction of "served ~ the general" "~ the terms of the contract" b: receiving or undergoing the action or effect of "~ pressure" "courage ~ fire" "~ the influence of alcohol" "the image of a point ~ a mapping"
3: within the group or designation of "~ this heading"
4: less or lower than (as in size, amount, or rank); esp: falling short of a standard or required degree "~ the legal age" "~ par" [3]under adj (14c) 1 a: lying or placed below, beneath, or on the ventral side--often used in combination "underlip" b: facing or protruding downward
2: lower in rank or authority: subordinate
3: lower than usual, proper, or desired in amount, quality, or degree "an ~ dose of medicine"