# beneath

Pronunciation: say "bi-NEETH" /bɪˈniːθ/

## Preposition

1. In a position lower than or directly under something else.
   - Simple: In a place that is lower than or under something else.
   - _The submarine glided silently beneath the waves._
   - _Workers discovered a forgotten tunnel beneath the old courthouse._
3. Covered up or concealed by something that lies over it, whether physically or figuratively.
   - Simple: Hidden or covered up by something, so you cannot see it.
   - _The original painting lay beneath two layers of cheap varnish._
   - _Beneath her calm smile, she was furious about the delay._
4. In a position lower than someone or something in rank, status, or dignity; unworthy of.
   - Simple: Lower than someone in rank, or not good enough for them.
   - _In the old company structure, every branch manager was beneath the regional director._
   - _He considered apologizing first to be beneath his dignity._

## Adverb

2. In or to a lower place or position; below or underneath.
   - Simple: In a lower place, or in the space directly under.
   - _The climbers rested on the ledge, the valley spread out far beneath._
   - _He peeled back the wallpaper to reveal the bare brick beneath._

## Origin

From Middle English benethe, from Old English bineoþan ("beneath, under, below"), made up of be- plus neath. It is related to Low German benedden and Dutch beneden ("beneath, under").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/beneath (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).
