under
/ˈʌndə(r)/
preposition
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*under — beneath, among
Overview
Meaning Now
- In or to a position lower than or covered by something else.
- Below or beneath the surface of something.
- Subject to the authority, control, or guidance of someone or something.
Literal older meaning
from beneath, below
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → Middle English → English
Earliest form
under
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The word traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *ndher-, which also serves as the ancestor for Latin 'infra' (below) and Sanskrit 'adharah' (lower). It is a fundamental preposition in all Germanic languages.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*ndher-
“beneath”
Original root indicating position below.
- Proto-Germanic
*under
“beneath, among”
- Old English
under
“beneath, among, in the presence of”
- Middle English
under
“below, subject to”
- Modern English
under
“below, controlled by, less than”
Connections
Word parts
under
root
below
Related across languages
German
unter
under
Dutch
onder
under
Old Norse
undir
under
Related words
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Related to under
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.