beneath

Everyday

1. Under or below something. tree →
2. beneath someone: not good enough for someone, or too low for them to do (often proud or rude). tree →

In the lessons

Common in stories and poems as a more literary word for "under". In science: roots beneath the soil, rocks beneath the sea. Phrases: beneath the surface, beneath you, beneath contempt.

Examples

• The cat slept beneath the table. tree →
• Beneath the soil, roots grow deep. tree →
• There is hot rock far beneath the Earth's surface. tree →
• She hid the letter beneath her pillow. tree →
• He thinks washing up is beneath him. tree →
• Write your name beneath the title. tree →
• The fish swam beneath the ice. tree →
• Meet here beneath this ash-tree's roots. tree →

Note

More formal or literary than "under" or "below". "Beneath him" is about pride, not place. Opposite: above, over.

In Jewish tradition

Common in stories and poems as a more literary word for "under". In science: roots beneath the soil, rocks beneath the sea. Phrases: beneath the surface, beneath you, beneath contempt.

Examples

• And thou shalt put it under the ledge round the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar. (Torah EXO.27.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he made for the altar a grating of network of brass, under the ledge round it beneath, reaching halfway up. (Torah EXO.38.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• that they might be double beneath, and in like manner they should be complete unto the top thereof unto the first ring. (Torah EXO.36.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• The shades tremble beneath the waters and the inhabitants thereof. (Writings JOB.26.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• His roots shall dry up beneath, and above shall his branch wither. (Writings JOB.18.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• The path of life goeth upward for the wise, that he may depart from the nether-world beneath. (Writings PRO.15.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

More formal or literary than "under" or "below". "Beneath him" is about pride, not place. Opposite: above, over.