SUBTERRANEAN


Meaning of SUBTERRANEAN in English

I. -nēən, -nyən adjective

or sub·ter·ra·ne·ous -nēəs

Etymology: subterranean from Latin subterrane us underground, subterranean + English -an; subterraneous from Latin subterraneus, from sub- + -terraneus (from terra ground, earth + -aneus, from -anus -an) — more at terrace

1. : being or lying under the surface of the earth : situated in the earth or underground

subterranean springs

— opposed to surficial

2.

a. : functioning, operating, or suitable for operating beneath the surface of the earth

b. : existing or working in secret : hidden

• sub·ter·ra·nean·ly adverb

II. noun

( -s )

Etymology: Latin subterrane us + English -an (n. suffix)

1. : one who lives, develops, or works underground

2. : an underground cave or room : cavern

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.