beneath Meaning, Definition & Usage

adverb in or to a place that is lower
to a lower place; below; at a lower place.

OE. benethe, bineoen, AS. beneoan, benyan; pref. be- + neoan, nyan, downward, beneath, akin to E. nether. See Nether.

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.
Under, in relation to something that is superior, or that oppresses or burdens.
Our country sinks beneath the yoke. Shak.
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.

In a lower place; underneath.
The earth you take from beneath will be barren. Mortimer.
Below, as opposed to heaven, or to any superior region or position; as, in earth beneath.