beneath(r = adv.all) at a lower place, below, to a lower place - in or to a place that is lower;
1. Lower in place, with something directly over or on; under; underneath; hence, at the foot of. Ex. xxxii. 19. [1913 Webster]
"Beneath a rude and nameless stone he lies." [1913 Webster]
2. Under, in relation to something that is superior, or that oppresses or burdens. [1913 Webster]
"Our country sinks beneath the yoke." [1913 Webster]
3. Lower in rank, dignity, or excellence than; as, brutes are beneath man; man is beneath angels in the scale of beings. Hence: Unworthy of; unbecoming. [1913 Webster]
"He will do nothing that is beneath his high station." [1913 Webster]
1. In a lower place; underneath. [1913 Webster]
"The earth you take from beneath will be barren." [1913 Webster]
2. Below, as opposed to heaven, or to any superior region or position; as, in earth beneath. [1913 Webster]
beneath, prep. & adv.
--prep.
1 not worthy of; too demeaning for (it was beneath him to reply).
2 below, under.
--adv. below, under, underneath.
Idiom:
beneath contempt see CONTEMPT.
Etymology:
OE binithan, bineothan f. bi BY + nithan etc. below f. Gmc
N lowness, debasement, depression, prostration, depression, molehill, lowlands, basement floor, ground floor, rez de chaussee, cellar, hold, bilge, feet, heels, low water, low tide, ebb tide, neap tide, spring tide, low, neap, debased, nether, nether most, flat, level with the ground, lying low, crouched, subjacent, squat, prostrate, under, beneath, underneath, below, downwards, adown, at the foot of, under foot, under ground, down stairs, below stairs, at a low ebb, below par.