under

Universal Words preposition, adverb, adjective preposition 1 in, to or through a position that is below sth: Have you looked under the bed? * She placed the ladder under (= just lower than) the window. * The dog squeezed under the gate and ran into the road. 2 below the surface of sth; covered by sth: The boat lay under several feet of water. 3 less than; younger than: an annual income of under ｣10000 * It took us under an hour. * Nobody under 18 is allowed to buy alcohol. 4 used to say who or what controls, governs or manages sb/sth: The country is now under martial law. * The coinage was reformed under Elizabeth I (= when she was queen). * She has a staff of 19 working under her. * Under its new conductor, the orchestra has established an international reputation. 5 according to an agreement, a law or a system: Six suspects are being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. * Under the terms of the lease you had no right to sublet the property. * Is the television still under guarantee? 6 experiencing a particular process: The hotel is still under construction. * The matter is under investigation. 7 affected by sth: The wall collapsed under the strain. * I've been feeling under stress lately. * I'm under no illusions about what hard work this will be. * You'll be under anaesthetic, so you won't feel a thing. 8 using a particular name: She also writes under the pseudonym of Barbara Vine. 9 found in a particular part of a book, list, etc: If it's not under 'sports', try looking under 'games'. adverb 1 below sth: He pulled up the covers and crawled under. 2 below the surface of water: She took a deep breath and stayed under for more than a minute. * The boat was going under fast. 3 less; younger: prices of ten dollars and under * children aged 12 and under 4 in or into an unconscious state: He felt himself going under. adjective [onlybeforenoun] lower; underneath: the under layer * the under surface of a leaf ______________________________ WHICHWORD? under / below / underneath / beneath You use under to say that one thing is directly under another thing: The cat is asleep under the table. * I think your letter is under that book. Underneath can also be used when you want to emphasize that something is being covered or hidden by another thing: Have you looked underneath the sofa as well as behind it? You can also use beneath in this sense, but it is a very formal or literary word. Below is usually preferred to say that one thing is in a lower position than another when they are both in the same building, on the same hill, on the same part of the body, etc: They live in the apartment below us. * Can you see those trees below the summit? * It hurts here - just below the knee. Below is used for measurements or position on a scale: The temperature was below zero last night. Under is used to mean 'less than': All our goods are under ｣320. You use under (not below) to talk about movement from one side of something to the other side: We swam under the bridge. ______________________________