beneath

 
Pronunciation: /bɪˈniːθ/

preposition

  • 1extending or directly underneath: a 2.5-mile tunnel beneath the Alps
  • underneath so as to be hidden, covered, or protected: the ancient city has lain hidden beneath the sea for 2,000 years
  • 2at a lower level or layer than: beneath this floor there’s a cellar her eyes had dark shadows beneath them
  • lower in grade or rank than: he was relegated to the rank beneath theirs
  • considered of lower status or worth than: she’s in love with a man who is rather beneath her
  • behind (a physical surface): they found another layer beneath the stucco
  • hidden behind (an appearance): beneath the gloss of success was a tragic private life

adverb

  • 1extending or directly underneath something: a house built on stilts to allow air to circulate beneath
  • 2at a lower level or layer: upper layers can be removed to reveal internal parts beneath
  • hidden behind an appearance: the smile revealed the evil beneath

Origin:

Old English binithan, bineothan, from bi (see by) + nithan, neothan 'below', of Germanic origin; related to nether