I. ˌəndə(r)ˈnēth preposition
Etymology: Middle English undernethe, undernethen, preposition & adverb, from Old English underneothan, from under (II) + neothan below — more at beneath
1. : directly beneath
put the date underneath the address
: close under especially so as to be covered or hidden
beetles found underneath stones and logs
stowed away underneath the flooring
2. : below an upper layer of or inside an outer surface or covering of
wore his swim suit underneath his slacks
blood vessels just underneath the skin
3. : under subjection or submission to
living underneath a crushing tyranny
4. : under the outward appearance or obvious aspect of
underneath the discursive chat of his letters is the firm fabric of economic fact — V.L.Parrington
treachery lying underneath a mask of friendliness
II. adverb
Etymology: Middle English undernethe, undernethen
1. : under or below an object or a surface often with the implication of being covered or concealed
scrape off the paint to show the grain of the wood underneath
soaked through his jacket to the shirt underneath
2. : beneath by way of support
house with a solid foundation underneath
3. : farther or lower down on the page
column of figures with the totals given underneath
4. : on the lower or downward side
pot blackened underneath
III. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective
1. dialect : secret , surreptitious
2. : not evident on the surface
underneath meanings
3. : lying or working underneath
underneath wrestler
underneath man of an acrobatic team
IV. ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
: the bottom surface : underside
wipe the underneath of the glass
looking at the underneaths of the china for maker's names