Be*neath" (&?;), prep. [OE. benethe,
bineoðen, AS. beneoðan, benyðan; pref.
be- + neoðan, nyðan, downward, beneath, akin
to E. nether. See Nether.] 1. Lower in
place, with something directly over or on; under; underneath; hence, at the
foot of. "Beneath the mount." Ex. xxxii. 19.
Beneath a rude and nameless stone he lies.
Pope.
2. Under, in relation to something that is
superior, or that oppresses or burdens.
Our country sinks beneath the yoke.
Shak.
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.
He will do nothing that is beneath his high
station.
Atterbury.
Be*neath" (&?;), adv. 1.
In a lower place; underneath.
The earth you take from beneath will be barren.
Mortimer.
2. Below, as opposed to heaven, or to any superior
region or position; as, in earth beneath.
