bottom

Everyday

1. The bottom is the lowest part of something. tree →
2. The bottom is the ground under water, like the bottom of the sea. tree →
3. Your bottom is the part of your body you sit on. tree →
4. The bottom of a list or a class is the last place. tree →
5. The bottom of something can also be the real cause or source hidden behind it. tree →

In the lessons

the lowest place, row or shelf; sometimes the base of a shape; phrases «at the bottom», «from top to bottom», «bottom line», «bottoms up», «get to the bottom of» (find the real cause)

Examples

• The bottom shelf holds 15 books. tree →
• He climbs from the bottom to the top of 40 steps. tree →
• The bottom row has 9 cans. tree →
• The fish swims at the bottom of the tank. tree →
• Write your name at the bottom of the page. tree →
• We cleaned the house from top to bottom. tree →
• The detective got to the bottom of the mystery. tree →
• The baby fell on her bottom. tree →
• A stone sank to the bottom of the pond. tree →
• Our team was at the bottom of the table. tree →
• There must be a Princess at the bottom of this.’ tree →

Note

A position, not an amount. Trap: in a stack of rows, the bottom row is often the biggest. «Bottom» of a fraction is the denominator. The opposite is «top».

In Jewish tradition

Used for the lowest part of something, such as the base of the wheels in Ezekiel or the roots of the mountains in Jonah's prayer.

Interpretation. Ezekiel's wheels and living creatures are the center of Jewish mystical study. Jonah at the bottom of the mountains shows him in the deepest distress, from which God rescued him.

Examples

• Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel at the bottom hard by the living creatures, at the four faces thereof. (Prophets EZK.1.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• And when the living creatures went, the wheels went hard by them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the bottom, the wheels were lifted up. (Prophets EZK.1.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars closed upon me for ever; yet hast Thou brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. (Prophets JON.2.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

A position, not an amount. Trap: in a stack of rows, the bottom row is often the biggest. «Bottom» of a fraction is the denominator. The opposite is «top».