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单词 under-
释义

under-prefix1

In nouns formed with this prefix, primary stress tends to be attracted to the prefix. In adjectives in predicative position and verb forms, primary stress is more consistently retained by the stem.
Forms: see under prep.
Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.
Etymology: < the same Germanic base as under prep. (see cognates at that entry).In Old Frisian and Old High German there are also many examples both of verbs and nouns (as well as adjectives and adverbs) formed in this way. Formations in Old Icelandic are almost exclusively nouns, while most of the (less numerous) examples in Old Dutch and Old Saxon are verbs. No such formations are securely recorded Gothic. In sense 1a (as in Old High German) frequently rendering classical Latin and post-classical Latin sub- sub- prefix. Compounds in which the two parts are not felt to be distinct are usually written as one word without a hyphen. In other formations the use of the hyphen is variable, and depends to a great extent on the form or the frequency of the word. Complete separation of the prefix, common in older usage, is now restricted to instances in which under may be taken as an adjective. Examples of these have been included under the compounds, as no clear distinction can be drawn between the two.
1. In Old English about eighty words with this prefix are recorded, but only fifteen or sixteen of these are of frequent occurrence. Of the total number about fifty are verbs, and twenty-five nouns, the adjectives being few and rare.
a. In Old English a considerable number of the compounds with under- were clearly suggested by Latin forms with sub- (suc-, etc.) and occur only as renderings of these, e.g. underberan [translating Latin supportare, sustinere] ; underbéged [translating Latin subjectus] ; underbrǽdan, -bregdan [translating Latin substernere] ; undercerrende [translating Latin subvertens] ; undercuman [translating Latin subvenire] . The frequency of such forms no doubt contributed greatly to establish the vogue of the prefix in ordinary use. The practice of rendering Latin sub- by under- is extensively followed in the earlier Wycliffite version of the Bible, and gives rise to a large number of unique or unusual forms, as underburn, -cry, -drench, -grow, -heave, -hile, -join, -laugh, -lead, -minister, -mow, etc., which are illustrated below, together with some others occurring in the anonymous translation of the Pauline Epistles. Similar examples are occasionally found in other Middle English translated texts, as underorn, -slake, [after Latin subornare, summitigare] .
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a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xiii. 7 And vnder laȝhende [L. subridens] hope he shal ȝyue, tellende to thee alle goodes.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xxxix. 39 Alle the werkes of the Lord [are] good; and ech werk in his hour shal vndermynestren [L. subministrabit].
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. xxxix. 14 Whanne Y hadde vndercried [L. succlamassem],..he forsoke the mantil that I heelde.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xv. 10 The see couerde hem; and thei ben vnder dreynt [L. submersi] as leed in hidows watris.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. xxvi. 13 He ȝede profytynge and vndurgrowynge [L. succrescens] to the tyme that he was maad hugeli greet.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xxiii. 5 If thow se an asse of hym that hatith thee lye vnder the charge,..thow shalt vnderheue [L. sublevabis] with hym.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Num. xii. 14 Whether shulde she not..seuen days with reednes be vnder~hilid [L. suffundi]?
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ps. Prol. Heer also is taȝt..what bi penaunce be purchasid, whan he vnderioyneth, ‘I shal teche wicke men thi weies’.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ezek. xxiii. 3 There the breestis..of hem ben vndirled [L. subacta].
1382 J. Wyclif Psalms xxxiv. 16 Thei vndermouwiden [L. subsannaverunt] me with vnder~mouwing.
1382 J. Wyclif Rom. Prol. He writeth therfore to the Romaynes, the whiche..wolden with proud contencioun vnderpoten either other.
1382 J. Wyclif Gen. xxvii. 36 Now secounde he hath vnder rauyshide [L. surripuit] my benysoun.
1382 J. Wyclif 1 Sam. ii. 7 The Lord..mekith, and vndurrerith [L. sublevat].
1382 J. Wyclif Acts xxvii. 4 We vndirsailiden [L. subnavigavimus] to Cypre, for that wyndis weren contrarie.
1382 J. Wyclif Acts xxvii. 17 The vessel vndirsent [L. summisso], so thei were borun.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ephes. iv. 16 Al the body sett to gidere, and boundyn to gidere by ech ioynture of vndir~seruyng [L. subministrationis].
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Deut. xxxii. 22 Fier is vndurtent [L. succensus] in my woodnes.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ps. xvii. 9 Colis ben vndertend [L. incensi] of hym.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 Sam. Prol. Fro thens thei vndurweuyden Sophym, that is, the book of Jugis.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. xxvii. 37 Alle his britheren I haue vndir ȝockid [L. subjugavi] to the seruyce of hym.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Nehemiah v. 5 We han vnder ȝokid [L. subiugamus] our sonus and oure doȝtris in to seruage.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Nahum ii. 13 And Y shal vndre brenne [L. succendam] thi cartis of foure horsis.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Tim. v. 10 If she vndirmynistride [L. subministravit] to men suffringe tribulacioun.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Dan. viii. 3 Oo wether..hauynge heeȝ horns, and oon heeȝer than an other, and vndrewexinge [L. succrescens].
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xxiii. 21 Thei vndircryeden [L. succlamabant], seyinge, Crucifie, crucifie him.
a1400 Pauline Ep. (Powell) Gal. ii. 4 Þe false breþerene þe whyche vndyrentredyn [L. subintroierunt] to spye oure freenesse þat we hafe in iesu crist.
a1400 Pauline Ep. (Powell) Eph. iv. 16 On whom alle þe body is..knyt to gydere by alle þe ioynture of vndermynystracion [L. subministrationis].
a1400 Pauline Ep. (Powell) Col. ii. 19 Þe hed, of whom alle þe body is bildid in to one þurgh coniunccions and vnderseruyd [L. subministratum] þurgh þe bondys of charite.
b. In combination both with verbs and with nouns various senses of the prefix were already developed in Old English, and further variations have arisen in the later language, the starting-point for new developments being usually the Elizabethan period. In most of its senses under- can be freely employed to form new compounds, the meaning of which is obvious except when they are used in some special or technical connection. In some of these general types under- is correlative to over- prefix, and not infrequently the actual compound in under- is entirely due to the previous use of one in over-.
In the following sections a number of the more casual formations are given by way of illustration; those which have a more permanent character, or which for some reason require special treatment, are entered in their alphabetical places as main words. The uses which are most capable of giving rise to new formations, of which complete enumeration is impossible, are 2a(a), 2b, 3a, 4b, 5(a), 5(b). Altogether the senses of the prefix may be classed under four heads:—
2. Denoting local position.
a. With verbs. The following variations are found in Old English and in the later language:
(a) Denoting action (or continuance of a state) carried on under or beneath something, as Old English underberan to support from below, underdelfan to dig beneath, underetan to eat away, to sap, underiernan to run beneath, etc., Middle English undercut, -dig, -grow, -hole, -mine, -pitch, -shore, -strew, and the later underbind, -brace, -build, -gird, -hew, etc.
(b) Denoting the action of moving so as to be or to get under something, as Old English underflówan to flow under, underhnígan to descend beneath, underscéotan to pass under; Middle English undercreep; also with causative force, as Old English underbregdan to spread under, underdón to put under, understingan, to thrust under, Middle English underput, -set. Additions to this group are not frequent in the later language, but occur in undercrawl, -dive, -run, -work, and with slight variation of sense in underpeep, -peer.
(c) Rarely, the sense of ‘from below’ is found, as in underpeep, redden, -shine.In addition to verbs, the following miscellaneous examples include instances of the participial adjective and agent-noun. [In the dictionaries of Florio (1611) and Hexham (1647), under- is used in the above senses to form a number of compounds which are merely suggested by Italian forms in sog-, sop-, sot-, sotto-, and Dutch in onder-, as underbend, -knit, -loft, -mark, -note, -roof (Florio), underfume, -gripe, -lift, -press, -smoke (Hexham).]
(i)
underclearer n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌklɪərə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌklɪrər/
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1890 J. Nasmith Mod. Cotton Spinning Machinery x. 148 The ‘under clearer’ spring is attached to the roller beam.
1892 J. Nasmith Students' Cotton Spinning ix. 329 An underclearer D′, is sustained below the bottom front rollers.
(ii)
undercellared adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈsɛləd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈsɛlərd/
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c1900 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. VIII. 142 (Cent. Dict. Suppl.) The building is very solidly built, but undercellared only.
undercurled adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈkəːld/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈkərld/
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1883 A. Dobson Dead Let. in Old World Idylls iii Bonzes with squat legs undercurled.
underfolded adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈfəʊldᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈfoʊldəd/
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1904 Nature 13 Oct. 593/2 An underfolded and underthrust knot of younger strata.
underpointed adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈpɔɪntᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈpɔɪn(t)ᵻd/
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1746 tr. Port Royal Method Grk. Tongue 8 The three under-pointed [Greek vowels; Fr. les trois souscrites], ᾳ, ῃ, ῳ.
under-reddened adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈrɛdnd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndə(r)ˈrɛd(ə)nd/
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1866 G. M. Hopkins Jrnls. & Papers (1959) 138 The meadows yellow with buttercups and under-reddened with sorrel.
under-ruling adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈruːlɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌəndə(r)ˈrulɪŋ/
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1864 C. Kingsley Roman & Teuton p. liv We shall believe not merely in an over-ruling Providence, but (if I may dare to coin a word) in an under-ruling one.
underthrust adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈθrʌst/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈθrəst/
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1893 Amer. Jrnl. Sci. 145 306 (heading) Underthrust Folds and Faults.
(iii)
underditch v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈdɪtʃ/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈdɪtʃ/
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1828–32 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Underditch, v.t., to form a deep ditch or trench to drain the surface of land.
undergrub v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈɡrʌb/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɡrəb/
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a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Under-grub, to undermine.
undermark v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈmɑːk/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈmɑrk/
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1808 S. T. Coleridge Let. to T. Jeffrey in Lett. (1895) 537 When I first wrote it I undermarked it.
underpile v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈpʌɪl/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈpaɪl/
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1839 Q. Rev. 63 415 No accuracy in underpiling the platform is thus practicable.
undersap v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈsap/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈsæp/
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1800 J. Hurdis Favorite Village iii. 132 Behold! where now he undersaps the sward.
undersaw v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈsɔː/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈsɔ/
,
/ˌəndərˈsɑ/
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1829 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. 2nd Ser. II. i. 13 [Barrow] One hath fallen the moment when he had reached the last step of the ladder, having undersawed it for him who went before.
underscoop v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈskuːp/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈskup/
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1877 J. S. Blackie Wise Men Greece 119 The hidden working of the travelling fire That underscoops the earth.
undersee v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈsiː/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈsi/
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1879 S. Lanier To B. Taylor in Poems 2 To range, deep-wrapt, along a heavenly height, O'erseeing all that man but undersees.
undersplice v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈsplʌɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈsplaɪs/
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1885 W. K. Parker Mammalian Descent vii. 169 We have a..ploughshare bone large and long in proportion to the..beam which it under~splices.
undersweep v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈswiːp/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈswip/
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1889 Voice (N.Y.) 28 Nov. A pure serious aim undersweeps his work and comes out in it like a transfiguration.
(d) A noun of action with under- may have the same form as the verb, as undercut, -gnaw, -hang, -lay, -lie, -lift, -mine, -run, -score, -spin, -thrust.
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1895 J. J. Raven Hist. Suffolk 1 The coast line has suffered, and still suffers, from the constant undergnaw of the German Ocean.
b. With nouns:
(a) In names of garments worn under other articles of clothing, found in Old English underhwítel, -syrc, but not common till the 16th century, when undercap, -forebody, -frock, -garment, -girdle, -sleeve occur. The following are examples of recent or less usual compounds.Contrasted with over- prefix 1h(c), and in modern use sometimes replaced by sub- prefix 1c.
underbodice n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌbɒdᵻs/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌbɑdəs/
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1873 Young Englishwoman Apr. 194/1 (heading) Under~bodice of jaconet, insertion, and lace.
1895 Daily News 24 Dec. 6/3 The chiffon under-bodice being visible between the two sides.
† undercloak n. Obsolete
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1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Sottomanto, an vnder-cloake, a Cassocke.
underdrawers n.
Brit. /ˈʌndədrɔːz/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌdrɔrz/
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1894 ‘G. Egerton’ Keynotes 177 They [sc. trousers] ruck up at the knees, and show the end line of his under-drawers quite plainly.
underflannel n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌflanl/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌflæn(ə)l/
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1859 Habits Good Society iii. 144 I should like to know how often the advocates of linen change their own under-flannel.
undershorts n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəʃɔːts/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌʃɔrts/
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1960 ‘E. McBain’ See them Die (1963) iii. 28 Murchison..tugged at his undershorts, and wondered if it was any cooler upstairs.
1978 W. F. Buckley Stained Glass xii. 129 She had opened the door, exhilarated at the prospect of seeing Paul lying there as she so regularly came on him, dressed only in his undershorts.
underslip n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəslɪp/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌslɪp/
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1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xii. [Cyclops] 313 The bride..looked exquisitely charming in a creation carried out in green mercerised silk, moulded on an underslip of gloaming grey.
1968 B. Hines Kestrel for Knave 23 His mother was standing in her underslip, a lipstick poised at her mouth.
underwaist n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəweɪst/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌweɪst/
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1857 in A. V. G. Allen Life Phillips Brooks (1900) I. vi. 209 Thick winter underwaists and socks.
1870 F. Fern Ginger-snaps 264 I don't speak of my cambric under-waist, irretrievably torn down the back.
a1911 D. G. Phillips in Hearst's Mag. (1916) Feb. 137/1 She bought a pair of shoes for a dollar,..two underwaists for a quarter.
(b) Denoting that the thing specified is either placed below something else, or is the lower in position of two similar things; the two cases are only clearly distinguishable when it is usual for the things to go in pairs. The use is very rare in Old English and Middle English, but begins to extend in the 16th century and is common from the 17th. When pairs of things are contrasted, under- becomes equivalent to lower (as over- to upper), and readily assumes an adjectival function: see under adj. 1b.
under-basal n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌbeɪsl/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌbeɪs(ə)l/
,
/ˈəndərˌbeɪz(ə)l/
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1878 P. H. Carpenter in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XVIII. 366 I shall shortly show that these second or under basals are also present in the calyx of Pentacrinus briareus.
under-beak n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəbiːk/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌbik/
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1889 Hardwicke's Sci.-gossip 25 261/1 A starling was found..having its under-beak evidently shot off.
† under-beam n. Obsolete
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1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Soupoultreau, an vnder-beame.
under-box n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəbɒks/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌbɑks/
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1862 in Veness El Dorado (1866) App. 140 An under-box for a pump.
under-bud n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəbʌd/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌbəd/
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1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry 363 To rub off all the Under-buds, leaving only a few near the top to draw up the Sap.
under-case adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈkeɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈkeɪs/
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1738 E. Chambers Cycl. (ed. 2) at Letter Printers distinguish their letters into capital, majuscule, initial, or upper case letters,... And minuscule, small, or under case letters.
undercasing n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌkeɪsɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌkeɪsɪŋ/
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1890 J. Nasmith Mod. Cotton Spinning Machinery Index Undercasings for carding machine.
1892 J. Nasmith Students' Cotton Spinning iv. 112 The relative position of the..knives and undercasing.
underceiling n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌsiːlɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌsilɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1690 C. Ness Compl. Hist. & Myst. Old & New Test. I. 23 If the outside and the underceiling..of this glorious room be so glittering.
undercellar n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌsɛlə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌsɛlər/
ΚΠ
1875 W. McIlwraith Guide Wigtownshire 7 Many of these smugglers had under-cellars in their houses of concealment.
† under-chamber n. Obsolete
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1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Sotto camera, an vnder-chamber.
underchin n.
Brit. /ˈʌndətʃɪn/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌtʃɪn/
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1906 J. Galsworthy Man of Prop. i. iii. 44 Between the points of his stand-up collar,..the pale flesh of his underchin remained immovable.
1978 J. A. Michener Chesapeake 19 The geese [had]..jet-black head and neck, snow-white under-chin.
under-countenance n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌkaʊntᵻnəns/
,
/ˈʌndəˌkaʊntn̩əns/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌkaʊnt(ə)nəns/
ΚΠ
a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) vi. 186 Her exulting outside look of youth And placid under-countenance.
under-cover n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌkʌvə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌkəvər/
ΚΠ
1852 D. M. Mulock Agatha's Husband xx. 281 He took out a paper,..tore it open—tore likewise an under-cover addressed to his wife.
undercrypt n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəkrɪpt/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌkrɪpt/
ΚΠ
1845 M. Pattison S. Langton in Lives Eng. Saints vii. 124 A more honourable place..than the damp and dark undercrypt.
† under-cup n. Obsolete
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1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Sottotazza, an vnder-cup of essay.
underfitting n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌfɪtɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌfɪdɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1897 Daily News 1 Jan. 6/6 After a diver has been down to examine the under-fittings of the Delta.
† under-hatch n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Beisle, th' Orelop, or vnder-hatches, of a ship.
underlash n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəlaʃ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌlæʃ/
ΚΠ
1869 A. J. Evans Vashti xxxv. 470 There were tears hanging..on the long jet under-lashes.
underlimit n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌlɪmɪt/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌlɪmᵻt/
ΚΠ
1841 Florist's Jrnl. (1846) 2 266 They are natives of the table land of Mexico,..wholly below the underlimit of frost.
† under-loft n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Sopalco, an vnder-loft, or sellar, or seeling.
underpacking n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌpakɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌpækɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1895 Archæol. Æliana XVII. ii. 287 It has apparently been moved..for use as an underpacking when the Early English arcade was built.
under-pen n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəpɛn/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌpɛn/
ΚΠ
1855 Poultry Chron. 2 498 How again can they avoid mistakes when half the birds are hidden in dark under-pens?
under-pilaster n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəpᵻˌlastə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərpəˌlæstər/
ΚΠ
1730 A. Gordon tr. F. S. Maffei Compl. Hist. Anc. Amphitheatres 402 The Pedestal or Under-Pilaster.
underplate n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəpleɪt/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌpleɪt/
ΚΠ
1871 tr. H. Schellen Spectrum Anal. xxv. 87 This micrometer consists..of a sliding-plate,..[and] an under~plate on which the first plate travels.
† underporch n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Sopportico, an vnderporch.
under-riddle n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌrɪdl/
,
U.S. /ˈəndə(r)ˌrɪd(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1839 T. Carlyle Lett. (1904) I. 158 Chorley's under jaw went like the hopper or under-riddle..of a pair of fanners.
under-rope n.
Brit. /ˈʌndərəʊp/
,
U.S. /ˈəndə(r)ˌroʊp/
ΚΠ
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining 234 Under-rope [= S-rope, the winding rope which passes round the under side of the drum].
underseam n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəsiːm/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌsim/
ΚΠ
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining 268 Under-seams, lower or deeper coal seams.
undershoot n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəʃuːt/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌʃut/
ΚΠ
1733 W. Ellis Chiltern & Vale Farming 128 The Drip of their Heads falling upon their Under-shoots.
undersluice n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəsluːs/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌslus/
ΚΠ
1883 F. Day Indian Fish 28 Where large under-sluices are present, fish can pass up such when open.
undersole n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəsəʊl/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌsoʊl/
ΚΠ
1843 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 6 265/2 A cross sheth..to be bolted down to the undersole.
undersupport n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəsəpɔːt/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərsəˌpɔrt/
ΚΠ
1877 J. Ruskin St. Mark's Rest (1894) iv. 49 With such solid under-support that, from 1480 till now, it stands rain and frost!
undertruck n.
Brit. /ˈʌndətrʌk/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌtrək/
ΚΠ
1902 Westm. Gaz. 29 Jan. 9/2 A large Government order for 2,100 undertrucks and 150 complete wagons.
undervalve n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəvalv/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌvælv/
ΚΠ
1822 J. Parkinson Outl. Oryctol. 150 (note) Attached to an operculum, or undervalve.
(c) Denoting position below a surface or covering, or at a depth. Examples of this occur from the 17th century, but are not common until the 19th.
underbottom adj.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌbɒtəm/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌbɑdəm/
ΚΠ
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. i. 26 I hope that the under~bottom ice exceeds that height.
underbrew n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəbruː/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌbru/
ΚΠ
1892 G. Meredith Poet. Wks. (1912) 325 There chimed a bubbled underbrew With witch~wild spray of vocal dew.
underbubble n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌbʌbl/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌbəb(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1894 S. R. Crockett Raiders xxxiv. 286 The rippling tide..swirling in the smooth places with an oily underbubble.
underclearance n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌklɪərəns/
,
/ˈʌndəˌklɪərn̩s/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌklɪrəns/
ΚΠ
1930 Engineering 15 Aug. 197/3 The [U.S.] War Department.. imposed the limiting conditions of 100 feet under~clearance above the level of mean high water.
1967 Jane's Surface Skimmer Syst. 1967–8 64/1 Riser bars may be used, depending on load underclearance.
undercourse n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəkɔːs/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌkɔrs/
ΚΠ
1869 J. Martineau in Life (1902) I. 446 How curiously the religious tendency..finds an under~course, and breaks out at unexpected points!
under-deep n.
Brit. /ˈʌndədiːp/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌdip/
ΚΠ
a1930 D. H. Lawrence Last Poems (1932) 7 As if any Mind could have imagined a lobster dozing the under-deeps.
underdepth n.
Brit. /ˈʌndədɛpθ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌdɛpθ/
ΚΠ
1858 E. Caswall Poems 192 Up from the underdepth unsearchable of primal Being.
undergloom n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəɡluːm/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌɡlum/
ΚΠ
1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 257 Hour after hour..we passed on, in the under-gloom of the great forest.
underglow n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəɡləʊ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌɡloʊ/
ΚΠ
1885 M. Collins Ld. Vanecourt's Dan. I. vi. 80 The light..brought out a warm underglow in her hair.
undergrip n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəɡrɪp/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌɡrɪp/
ΚΠ
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Under-grup, an under-drain; a concealed water course in wet soils.
† under-lodging n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Sotto~stanza, an vnder-lodging.
undermire n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌmʌɪə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌmaɪ(ə)r/
ΚΠ
1913 D. H. Lawrence Love Poems 27 And even in the watery shells that lie Alive within the oozy under-mire, A grain of this same fire I can descry.
understructure n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌstrʌktʃə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌstrək(t)ʃər/
ΚΠ
1943 Mind 52 135 These instincts or reflexes are the second point of contact where behaviour science, factually though not methodologically, rests upon its biological understructure.
1980 Dædalus Spring 99 Stories about dreams..often deliberately obfuscate the understructure of common sense.
undersweep n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəswiːp/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌswip/
ΚΠ
1856 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters IV. 201 The most fantastic..curves, governed by some grand under-sweep like that of a tide.
underwarmth n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəwɔːmθ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌwɔrmθ/
ΚΠ
1899 B. Capes Lady of Darkness xviii. 151 There must be underwarmth somewhere for the surface so to flower into colour.
(d) Denoting something which is either covered (completely or partially) by, or is subordinate to, something of the same kind. An early example of this is underwood (1325), followed by undergrowth, -shrub (c1600). Other examples are mostly of recent date, and show considerable extension of the usage, as in underfleece, -fur, -marking, etc.
ΚΠ
1873 E. Spon Workshop Receipts 1st Ser. 420/1 The colour should be a trifle darker than the undergraining.
1902 C. H. Merriam & G. Pinchot in Ann. Rep. Board of Regents Smithsonian Inst. 1901 Gen. App. 405 Where sheep have been allowed to graze..the undervegetation is destroyed.
1909 A. S. Lewis Codex Climaci Rescriptus Introd. p. xiii The under-script of a palimpsest is seldom homogeneous.
1914 D. H. Lawrence in Eng. Rev. Feb. 305 And lamps like venturous glow-worms steal among The shadowy stubble of the under-dusk.
1916 D. H. Lawrence Amores 137 Bright blue crops Surge from the under-dark to their ladder-tops.
1917 D. H. Lawrence Look! We have come Through! 48 Over there is Russia—Austria, Switzerland, France, in a circle! I here in the undermist on the Bavarian road.
1917 D. H. Lawrence Look! We have come Through! 120 Where the seed sinks in To the earth of the under-night Where all is silent.
1922 D. H. Lawrence in Eng. Rev. June 509 Fishes, with their gold-red eyes, and green-pure gleam, and under-gold.
1923 D. H. Lawrence Kangaroo i. 8 It..was like a whole country with towns and bays and darknesses. And all lying mysteriously within the Australian underdark, that peculiar lost, weary aloofness of Australia.
1929 D. H. Lawrence Pansies 17 Twilight thick underdusk..While darkness submerges the stones.
1934 T. S. Eliot Elizabethan Ess. 190 What distinguishes poetic drama from prosaic drama is a kind of doubleness... The drama has an under-pattern, less manifest than the theatrical one.
(e) With the sense of ‘situated on the under side’.
ΚΠ
1888 Cent. Mag. 36 703/1 Its head and back are blue, its throat and breast red, and its underfeathering white.
1902 C. J. Cornish Naturalist on Thames 45 The parti~coloured grey and yellow under-colouring of their wings.
3. Denoting inferiority in rank or importance.
a.
(a) With designations of persons, esp. of subordinate officers or officials. This use occurs in Old English in undercyning, -diacon, -geréfa, -ládtéow, -þéow, becomes common in Middle English, and is extensively employed from the latter part of the 16th century. The meaning is however as frequently expressed by sub- prefix 2a(a), 2bExamples of under- prefixed to a term of general import are rare, but underman occurs in the 14th cent., underbeing, underfellow in the 16th, underswain in the 17th.
under-alderman n.
Brit. /ˈʌndə(r)ˌɔːldəmən/
,
/ˈʌndə(r)ˌɒldəmən/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌɔldərmən/
,
/ˈəndərˌɑldərmən/
ΚΠ
1751 S. Whatley England's Gazetteer at Preston, (Lanc.) It..is governed by a mayor, recorder, 8 ald. 4 under ald.
underboss n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəbɒs/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌbɔs/
,
/ˈəndərˌbɑs/
ΚΠ
1942 M. Harcourt Parson in Prison 20 The whole school was assembled before the underbosses.
1964 Amer. Speech 39 305 Over each [Mafia] family presides a boss... Beneath the boss are an underboss, also known as sotto capo, and a consiglieri.
1972 N.Y. Times Mag. 4 June 95 In the restructured family on which Joe Colombo solidified his hold as boss, another tantalizing figure emerged, Charles (Charlie Lemons) Mineo... Mineo has become a unique kind of underboss.
underbrigadier n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəbrɪɡəˌdɪə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌbrɪɡəˌdɪ(ə)r/
ΚΠ
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Eeee/2 Under-Brigadeer, Sou-Brigadier.
† underchanter n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Soubchantre, an vnder-chaunter..inferiour to the head Chaunter.
underchief n.
Brit. /ˈʌndətʃiːf/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌtʃif/
ΚΠ
1857 D. Livingstone Missionary Trav. S. Afr. 277 An imposing embassy from Masiko. It consisted of all his underchiefs.
undercoachman n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌkəʊtʃmən/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌkoʊtʃmən/
ΚΠ
1888 ‘J. S. Winter’ Bootle's Children ii. 10 All the ‘lads’..had gone home for the night, with the exception of the under-coachman.
undercrier n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌkrʌɪə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌkraɪ(ə)r/
ΚΠ
1708 J. Chamberlayne Magnæ Britanniæ Notitia (1710) 569 A Chief-Crier, Two Under-Criers, Two Ushers.
underdeacon n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌdiːk(ə)n/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌdikən/
ΚΠ
1846 J. W. Etheridge Syrian Churches 200 After which is read the Gospel in Syriac; an underdeacon reading it in the vernacular Arabic.
underfeeder n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌfiːdə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌfidər/
ΚΠ
1854 Poultry Chron. 1 265/1 Some competent feeder to look after the whole, and see that the under-feeders..are constantly at work.
underfootman n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌfʊtmən/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌfʊtmən/
ΚΠ
1891 Daily News 30 Nov. 6/6 The first footman..had an altercation with..an under-footman.
† underfurnisher n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Subministrateur,..an vnder~furnisher, an inferior officer.
undergamekeeper n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌɡeɪmkiːpə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌɡeɪmˌkipər/
ΚΠ
1876 E. A. Abbott in Contemp. Rev. June 141 To serve him as under-gamekeeper.
undergunner n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌɡʌnə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌɡənər/
ΚΠ
1708 J. Chamberlayne Magnæ Britanniæ Notitia (1710) 707 Edinburgh-Castle:..Master-Gunner,..6 Under-Gunners.
underjanitor n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌdʒanᵻtə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌdʒænədər/
ΚΠ
1820 W. Scott Abbot I. iv. 101 A learned professor at Leyden, where they lack an under-janitor.
† underjudge n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Sequestratore,..an vnder~iudge, an arbitrator.
underlaundress n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəlɔːnˌdrɛs/
,
/ˈʌndəˌlɔːndrᵻs/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌlɔndrəs/
,
/ˈəndərˌlɑndrəs/
ΚΠ
1898 Atlantic Monthly 82 474 The cooks and the under-cooks, the laundresses, the under~laundress.
undermaker n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌmeɪkə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌmeɪkər/
ΚΠ
1852 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 5) 338 The more We feel of poesie do we become Like God in love and power,—under-makers.
undermate n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəmeɪt/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌmeɪt/
ΚΠ
1818 M. W. Shelley Frankenstein I. 7 Twice I actually hired myself as an under-mate in a Greenland whaler.
undermatron n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌmeɪtr(ə)n/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌmeɪtrən/
ΚΠ
1976 ‘W. Trevor’ Children of Dynmouth ii. 42 The under~matron, Miss Tomm, had come into the dormitory and asked him to come with her to the study.
undermediator n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəmiːdɪˌeɪtə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌmidiˌeɪdər/
ΚΠ
1839 J. Rogers Antipopopriestian x. §2. 253 We read nothing in Holy Scripture about the submediation or the undermediators.
undernurse n.
Brit. /ˈʌndənəːs/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌnərs/
ΚΠ
1868 ‘H. Lee’ Basil Godfrey's Caprice I. xxiii. 292 Rebecca was the under-nurse.
underpartner n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌpɑːtnə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌpɑrtnər/
ΚΠ
1771 E. Ledwich Antiquitates Sarisburienses 223 He joined himself to..a tallow-chandler, as an underpartner with him in the business.
† underprior n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Een Onder-Prioor, an Vnder-Priour.
undersaviour n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌseɪvjə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌseɪvjər/
ΚΠ
1818 T. Moore Fudge Family in Paris vi. 32 Friends, whom his Lordship keeps in store, As under-saviours of the nation.
† underthane n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1614 J. Selden Titles of Honor 267 Earle, Churl, Thane, and Underthane.
† underthief n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1559 J. Aylmer Harborowe sig. L2v Then must the hyghe Shrife be his frende: And the vnderthefe (vndershrife I should saye) his man.
undertribe n.
Brit. /ˈʌndətrʌɪb/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌtraɪb/
ΚΠ
1749 W. Melmoth Lett. by Sir Thomas Fitzosborne II. lvi. 79 All that numerous undertribe in the commonwealth of literature.
under-turnkey n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌtəːnkiː/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌtərnˌki/
ΚΠ
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian i, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 22 Just the post of under-turnkey, for I understand there's a vacancy.
undervicar n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌvɪkə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌvɪkər/
ΚΠ
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) at Sub-vicar An Under-Vicar.
† under-villain n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Arriere-vasseur An vnder-vassall; or, an vnder~villaine.
under-vinedresser n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌvʌɪndrɛsə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌvaɪnˌdrɛsər/
ΚΠ
1657 J. Watts Scribe, Pharisee 125 The ministers are Christs under-vine-dressers.
underwaiter n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌweɪtə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌweɪdər/
ΚΠ
1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad App. a 586 The landlord-apprentice serves as call-boy; then as under-waiter.
1921 E. M. Forster Let. 17 May in Hill of Devi (1953) 81 He worked like an under~waiter in a Soho restaurant.
underwatcher n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌwɒtʃə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌwɑtʃər/
ΚΠ
1854 Poultry Chron. 1 388/1 Abounding with game..which, by game-keepers and ‘under-watchers’, was..rigorously preserved.
(b) With other nouns, in the sense of ‘subordinate, subsidiary, minor’. An early instance of this is underhelp (1579); others, such as underaccident, -action, -cause, -ministry, etc., occur in the 17th cent. In later use the tendency is to employ either sub- (see sub- prefix 1d(b), 2a(b)) or an adjective, but A. Tucker Light Nat. (1768) has under-aim, -plan, -scheme, -society, -species, -stage.
under church n.
Brit. /ˈʌndə tʃəːtʃ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndər ˌtʃərtʃ/
ΚΠ
1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. ii. 163 All your Sacrilegious ventures Laid out on Tickets, and Debentures; Your envy to be sprinkled down, By Under Churches, in the Town.
1771 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 277 The several Assistant or Under Churches or Chapels of this town.
† under-distinction n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Sottodistintione, an vnder-distinction, or subdistinction.
underhint n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəhɪnt/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌhɪnt/
ΚΠ
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 28 Apr. (1948) I. 255 All the under-hints there are mine too.
undermotion n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌməʊʃn/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌmoʊʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1691 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. 205 The Desire of Happiness..governs all the under-motions of the Man.
undershire n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəʃʌɪə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌʃaɪ(ə)r/
ΚΠ
1874 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. I. v. 100 The Lathe and the Rape may represent the undershires of the Heptarchic kingdom.
† undertuterage n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Onder-vooght, under-tuterage, or Under-wardship.
b. With verbs, denoting reduction to (or acceptance of) an inferior or subordinate standing. Chiefly Old English, as underbíegan to subject, underbúgan to submit, underþéodan to subject, subjugate; and Middle English, as undercast, -put, -thew. See also undershining adj., undersphere v., understudy v., undersweat v., underthrown adj.Under- is rarely employed in the sense of sub- prefix 2e (b). [Florio (1611) has under-appoint translating Italian sottodelegare.]
4. In figurative senses.
a. With verbs.
(a) In Old English, various secondary meanings of under- are represented by such verbs as under(be)ginnan to begin or attempt, underfón to receive, undergietan, -niman, -standan to understand, undersécan to investigate. Several of these survive in Middle English, as underfo, undergete, -nim, -stand, underseche; and a few more are added, as underfind, -grope, -take. In later examples the sense is usually that of (secret) investigation, as underfeel, -look, -search, -watch, or of unobserved action, as underhear. In addition to the verbs some agent-nouns occur, as under-dealer, -plotter, -puller. [Florio (1611) translates Italian sottosapere, sottoridere by underknow, undersmile.]
(b) From the end of the 16th cent. under- is used with verbs in the sense of ‘below (= at a lower rate than) another person’, as in underbid, -buy, -sell, -spend, -work.
(c) Occasionally the sense is ‘to a point or degree below what is normal or customary’, as in undercooled, -hew.
(d) Very rarely, subordinate action is implied, as in underlet = sublet.
b.
(a) With nouns, denoting actions, etc., which lie or are kept beneath the surface or in the background. An early instance is undercraft (c1400); others occur from the 17th cent., as underdealing, -thought. Modern instances are chiefly of an individual character.
under-agitation n.
Brit. /ˈʌndə(r)adʒᵻˌteɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌædʒəˌteɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1857 C. Heavysege Saul (1869) 421 Thine eyeballs roll, As if from some great under-agitation.
under-consciousness n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌkɒnʃəsnəs/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌkɑnʃəsnəs/
ΚΠ
1830 S. T. Coleridge On Constit. Church & State (1839) 274 A sort of under-consciousness blends with our dreams.
underfeeling n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌfiːlɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌfilɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1876 T. Hardy Hand of Ethelberta I. xix. 195 Simply an underfeeling I have that [etc.].
underhistory n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌhɪst(ə)ri/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌhɪst(ə)ri/
ΚΠ
1863 S. Wilberforce in R. G. Wilberforce Life S. Wilberforce (1882) III. 100 The curious under-history of Trench's appointment to the archbishopric.
underpain n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəpeɪn/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌpeɪn/
ΚΠ
1817 S. T. Coleridge Biogr. Lit. (1907) II. 207 There is a dull underpain that survives the smart which it had aggravated.
underpulse n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəpʌls/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌpəls/
ΚΠ
1876 A. D. Whitney Sights & Insights II. iii. 362 To me, who felt an underpulse in all these things, there was a plain perception [etc.].
under-self n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəsɛlf/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌsɛlf/
ΚΠ
1890 W. James Princ. Psychol. I. viii. 206 Barring a certain common fund of information, like the command of language, etc., what the upper self knows the under self is ignorant of, and vice versa.
1914 W. De Morgan When Ghost meets Ghost ii. xvi. 662 This underself of hers may have vibrated in response to the strange hints he had thrown out.
undersneer n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəsnɪə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌsnɪ(ə)r/
ΚΠ
1732 C. Wogan Let. to Swift 27 Feb. in J. Swift Wks. (1814) XVIII.25 A very grave phiz that covered a wicked undersneer.
undersuggestion n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəsəˌdʒɛstʃən/
,
/ˈʌndəsəˌdʒɛʃtʃən/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərsə(ɡ)ˌdʒɛstʃən/
,
/ˈəndərsə(ɡ)ˌdʒɛʃtʃən/
ΚΠ
1893 Nation (N.Y.) 29 June 475/3 The effect is artistic, while the undersuggestion is scientific.
undertaste n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəteɪst/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌteɪst/
ΚΠ
1908 H. James Spoils of Poynton p. xxiii An air of comedy comparatively free from sharp under~tastes.
1980 R. B. Kitaj Artist's Eye (Nat. Gallery) 3 Their lives at the sinister heart of the Baudelairean city, the spell its compelling undertaste cast on them.
underthirst n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəθəːst/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌθərst/
ΚΠ
a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) vi. 206 Something of stern mood, an under-thirst Of vigour, never utterly asleep.
(b) With words denoting sound of a subdued or subordinate character, esp. when produced or perceived at the same time as a louder or more distinct sound. (See also underbreath n., adj., and adv., undersong n., understrain n., undertone n., undertune n., undervoice n.)
underbeat n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəbiːt/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌbit/
ΚΠ
1904 E. Rickert Reaper 10 He could hear the underbeat of the surf on the rocks.
underchime n.
Brit. /ˈʌndətʃʌɪm/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌtʃaɪm/
ΚΠ
1844 I. Williams Baptistery II. iv. 110 Or deep Gregorian chaunt of plaintive underchime.
undercry n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəkrʌɪ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌkraɪ/
ΚΠ
1893 E. H. Barker Wanderings by S. Waters 43 That continuous undercry of the iron tongues.
underdialogue n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌdʌɪəlɒɡ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌdaɪəˌlɔɡ/
,
/ˈəndərˌdaɪəˌlɑɡ/
ΚΠ
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. iv. 68 She answered in the same tone of under dialogue.
undergabble n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌɡabl/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌɡæb(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1832 J. P. Kennedy Swallow Barn I. xxi. 202 Ducks and geese..with a sedate under-gabble, like that of old burghers in conversation.
underhum n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəhʌm/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌhəm/
ΚΠ
1892 G. Meredith Spring in Poems 134 But now the common life has come;..The grasses one vast underhum.
undermelody n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌmɛlədi/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌmɛlədi/
ΚΠ
1859 D. M. Mulock Romantic Tales 182 The low, woman's voice, whose under-melody,..lost amidst the tempests of life, was now needed to soothe its ending.
undermusic n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌmjuːzɪk/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌmjuzɪk/
ΚΠ
1834 F. D. Hemans Flowers & Music in Scenes & Hymns of Life 23 I..caught an under-music of lament In the stream's voice.
under-ring n.
Brit. /ˈʌndərɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndə(r)ˌrɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1876 G. Meredith Beauchamp's Career I. iii. 39 He quoted sayings..in which neither his ear nor Wilmore's detected the underring Stukely was famous for.
undertalk n.
Brit. /ˈʌndətɔːk/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌtɔk/
,
/ˈəndərˌtɑk/
ΚΠ
1874 S. Lanier Corn in Poems 28 Fragmentary whispers, blown From undertalks of leafy souls unknown.
underwhistle n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌwɪsl/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌ(h)wɪs(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1872 T. Hardy Under Greenwood Tree I. i. i. 6 Dick Dewy..continued his tune in an under-whistle.
5. Denoting insufficiency or defect.
(a) With verbs. From the latter part of the 16th cent., by contrast with over- prefix 2b(a), under- is prefixed to verbs to imply that the action falls below the usual or proper standard, and thus acquires the sense of ‘at too low a rate’, ‘too low’, ‘too little’, ‘insufficiently’. Early instances are underprize, -value, others of slightly later date are underbuy, -charge, -rate, -reckon, -sell, etc. Subsequently the use becomes extremely common, especially in the sense of ‘insufficiently, not enough’, as under-calculate, -emphasize, -fulfil, -graze, -react, -recover, etc., and occurs frequently with past participles and participial adjectives, as under-endowed, -equipped, -financed, -fulfilled, -funded, -garrisoned, -grazed, -gunned, -industrialized, -informed, -policed, -powered, -publicized, -researched, -stained, -stressed, etc. Examples of verbal nouns (cf. 2a(b)), as under-funding, -grazing etc. are also included in the following illustrations.
(i)
underbake v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈbeɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈbeɪk/
ΚΠ
1862 London Rev. & Weekly Jrnl. 16 Aug. 141 Another baker will make his loaves originally of short weight, and will then underbake them.
underboil v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈbɔɪl/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈbɔɪl/
ΚΠ
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Brewing This is generally attributed to their under-boiling their strong Worts.
undercalculate v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈkalkjᵿleɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈkælkjəˌleɪt/
ΚΠ
1836 C. Dickens Let. ?8 Oct. (1965) I. 181 There really is not time, unless Hansard's people, have greatly under-calculated the quantity sent.
1910 Practitioner Feb. 152 Cough..is one of the..most significant symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis... It is too often undercalculated by the patient and his friends.
1983 Platt's Oil Marketing Bull. 15 Aug. 1/1 It has been undercalculating its Windfall Tax payments.
undercomment v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈkɒmɛnt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈkɑˌmɛnt/
ΚΠ
1737 D. Waterland Rev. Doctr. Eucharist 202 But there may be danger of under-commenting, as well as of interpreting too high.
underdevelop v.
Brit. /ˌʌndədᵻˈvɛləp/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərdəˈvɛləp/
,
/ˌəndərdiˈvɛləp/
ΚΠ
1889 Internat. Ann. Anthonys Photogr. Bull. 155 We lose the strength..by over-timing and under-developing.
undereducate v.
Brit. /ˌʌndə(r)ˈɛdjᵿkeɪt/
,
/ˌʌndə(r)ˈɛdʒᵿkeɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɛdʒəˌkeɪt/
ΚΠ
1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain ii. vi. 393 He has been under-educated,..and is not very brilliant.
underemphasize v.
Brit. /ˌʌndə(r)ˈɛmfəsʌɪz/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɛmfəˌsaɪz/
ΚΠ
1964 Amer. Psychologist XIX. 14/2 If I have seemed to underemphasize the importance of inner capacities..it is because I believe that this part of the story is given by the nature of man's evolution.
underendow v.
Brit. /ˌʌndə(r)ᵻnˈdaʊ/
,
/ˌʌndə(r)ɛnˈdaʊ/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərᵻnˈdaʊ/
,
/ˌəndərˌɛnˈdaʊ/
ΚΠ
1909 H. G. Wells Ann Veronica xvii. 344 I remarked that science was disgracefully under-endowed, and confessed I'd had to take to more profitable courses.
1969 N. W. Pirie Food Resources viii. 191 They are almost all under~endowed while money is squandered on projects with little bearing on the world's real needs.
underfulfil v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəfʊlˈfɪl/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərfᵿ(l)ˈfɪl/
ΚΠ
1950 A. Lee Soviet Air Force 77 Unlike the later Five Year Plans, the target for the first was ‘underfulfilled’.
1964 Ann. Reg. 1963 230 According to Premier iroký..the plan as a whole had been underfulfilled by 1·2 per cent.
1982 T. J. Binyon Swan Song v. 32 The professor..accused me..of consistently underfulfilling the department's norms in teaching, research and administration.
underfund v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈfʌnd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈfənd/
Π
1970 Nature 8 Aug. 551/2 It also suggests, perhaps intentionally, that the project is grossly underfunded.
undergarrison v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈɡarᵻs(ə)n/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɡɛrəs(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1936 W. H. Auden & C. Isherwood Ascent of F6 i. ii. 24 We're under-garrisoned and under~policed and..we're in a blue funk that the Ostnians will come over the frontier.
undergraze v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈɡreɪz/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɡreɪz/
ΚΠ
1977 J. L. Harper Population Biol. Plants xiv. 438 Swards were overgrazed in winter and spring and undergrazed in summer and autumn.
† undergrieve v. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1648 T. Hill Spring of Grace 11 We are apt to overgrieve or undergrieve at crosses.
undermimic v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈmɪmɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈmɪmɪk/
ΚΠ
1847 A. Helps Friends in Council I. iv. 67 An ugly phantom of a caricature..which..under-mimics its wisdom, over-acts its folly.
underpopulate v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈpɒpjᵿleɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈpɑpjəˌleɪt/
ΚΠ
1884 Spectator 4 Oct. 1298/2 If..only the pure Milesian race should own the soil..the country would be under-populated.
underpot v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈpɒt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈpɑt/
ΚΠ
1882 Garden 25 Feb. 135/3 Use manure water freely..to all [ferns] that are under-potted.
under-react v.
Brit. /ˌʌndərɪˈakt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndəriˈæk(t)/
ΚΠ
1965 Economist 13 Nov. 705/3 Some critics do think that the United States is in danger of getting its priorities wrong, by over-reacting to the threat of China and under-reacting to the possibilities of easing the Soviet dominance of east-central Europe.
1982 Economist 5 June 37/2 The markets may, on average, have underreacted to the publication of the money figures.
under-recompense v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈrɛkəmpɛns/
,
U.S. /ˌəndə(r)ˈrɛkəmˌpɛns/
ΚΠ
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations I. i. x. 122 In point of pecuniary gain..they..are generally under-recompensed . View more context for this quotation
under-recover v.
Brit. /ˌʌndərᵻˈkʌvə/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərəˈkəvər/
,
/ˌəndəriˈkəvər/
ΚΠ
1967 D. Goch in G. Wills & R. Yearsley Handbk. Managem. Technol. 147 Fixed over-heads, being relatively unaffected by fluctuations in the number of units produced during the period, will be either under- or over-recovered to the extent that output varies from that which was assumed to be normal when the standards were set.
under-represent v.
Brit. /ˌʌndərɛprᵻˈzɛnt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndə(r)ˌrɛprəˈzɛnt/
ΚΠ
1884 Manch. Examiner 16 Oct. 5/1 We are told that the counties are enormously under-represented.
under-research v.
Brit. /ˌʌndərᵻˈsəːtʃ/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərəˈsərtʃ/
,
/ˌəndəriˈsərtʃ/
,
/ˌəndə(r)ˈriˌsərtʃ/
ΚΠ
1942 M. McCarthy Company she Keeps v. 239 [He] went back to the public library; perhaps..the material was under-researched.
1982 Polit. Sci. Q. 117 474 Rawlings's intervention, so sadly underresearched.
underseed v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈsiːd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈsid/
ΚΠ
1786 Trans. Soc. Arts 4 102 The land was under seeded.
undersleep v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈsliːp/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈslip/
ΚΠ
1872 H. W. Beecher Pop. Lect. Preaching iv. 109 Some men under-sleep, and some over-sleep; some eat too much, and some too little.
undertime v.
Brit. /ˈʌndətʌɪm/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌtaɪm/
ΚΠ
1889 Internat. Ann. Anthonys Photogr. Bull. 227 The negative was so badly undertimed as to be useless.
underwheel v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈwiːl/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈ(h)wil/
ΚΠ
1832 Proposed Regulations Cavalry iii. 99 The Troop Leaders may know whether to over-wheel or under-wheel.
(ii)
underballasting n.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈbaləstɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈbæləstɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1901 Scotsman 5 Mar. 7/8 Accidents to British ships..due to under-ballasting.
underfunding n.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈfʌndɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈfəndɪŋ/
Π
1963 Economist 27 Apr. 342/1 Over-funding last year could be compensated by under-funding this year.
1981 Daily Tel. 17 Oct. 12/3 The continual underfunding of the Royal Shakespeare Company..was endangering its ability to..retain its talented staff.
undergrazing n.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈɡreɪzɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɡreɪzɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1933 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 94 24 This plot was subjected to overstocking in winter and early spring, followed by gross undergrazing during the summer and autumn.
1974 Times 7 Jan. 12/3 To tear up large areas at once has led too often to undergrazing, drainage difficulties, [etc.].
under-realizing n.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈrɪəlʌɪzɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌəndə(r)ˈriəˌlaɪzɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1849 F. D. Maurice Let. in Life (1884) II. 9 A misunderstanding, contraction or under~realising of the truths of God's Absolute, Fatherly Love.
(iii)
under-accommodated adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndə(r)əˈkɒmədeɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərəˈkɑməˌdeɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1885 Pall Mall Gaz. 14 Feb. 3/2 The..over-worked and under-accommodated class of reporters.
underballasted adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈbaləstᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈbæləstəd/
ΚΠ
1901 Scotsman 5 Mar. 7/8 Under-ballasted vessels were..a source of danger to themselves.
underboated adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈbəʊtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈboʊdəd/
ΚΠ
1882 St. James's Gaz. 3 Apr. 5/2 The Cantabs were slightly underboated this year.
undercanvassed adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈkanvəst/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈkænvəst/
ΚΠ
1889 Boy's Own Paper 3 Aug. 700/2 My boat being considerably under-canvassed, the weather was rarely too bad for me to make a start.
underchurched adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈtʃəːtʃt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈtʃərtʃt/
ΚΠ
1866 Ecclesiologist 27 220 The reproach usual in French provincial towns, of being lamentably under-churched.
undercooked adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈkʊkt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈkʊkt/
ΚΠ
1861 I. M. Beeton Bk. Househ. Managem. xxxviii. 893 If the patient be allowed to eat vegetables, never send them up undercooked.
underdunged adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈdʌŋd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈdəŋd/
ΚΠ
1778 W. Marshall Minutes Agric. Digest 134 Whose Farm is for ever under~stocked, under-dunged, and under-tilled!
underequipped adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndə(r)ᵻˈkwɪpt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərəˈkwɪpt/
,
/ˌəndəriˈkwɪpt/
ΚΠ
1960 Times Lit. Suppl. 2 Sept. 553/4 Our teenagers are cast out into the world with boredom as the only memory of their ill-disciplined, under-equipped schooldays.
underfinanced adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈfʌɪnanst/
,
/ˌʌndəfʌɪˈnanst/
,
/ˌʌndəfᵻˈnanst/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈfaɪˌnænst/
,
/ˌəndərfᵻˈnænst/
ΚΠ
1923 Daily Mail 30 Jan. 4 This Department is under-staffed, under~financed, unprovided with many of the safeguards it has itself demanded.
1977 M. Edelman Polit. Lang. v. 100 An under-financed and uncoordinated reaction to widespread destitution becomes a ‘war on poverty’.
undergrazed adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈɡreɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɡreɪzd/
ΚΠ
1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 8 Mar. 71/1 Those swards which needed improvement were the undergrazed type.
undergunned adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈɡʌnd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɡənd/
ΚΠ
1928 C. F. S. Gamble Story N. Sea Air Station xiii. 214 As a fighting machine the H.12 was under-gunned for her size.
1944 Return to Attack (Army Board, N.Z.) 8/1 The armoured brigades..were equipped with..both types [of tank] fast-moving but under-gunned compared with the German tanks.
underindustrialized adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndə(r)ɪnˈdʌstrɪəlʌɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərᵻnˈdəstriəˌlaɪzd/
ΚΠ
1964 I. L. Horowitz New Sociol. 33 We cannot examine demography without basing our analysis on some definite correlation of..underindustrialized and overpopulated.
underinformed adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndə(r)ɪnˈfɔːmd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərᵻnˈfɔrmd/
ΚΠ
1968 Punch 31 July 141/1 The under~informed voter.
underlunged adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈlʌŋd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈləŋd/
ΚΠ
1866 W. Odling Lect. Animal Chem. 144 Strongly suggestive of these animals being, so to speak, under-lunged.
undermade adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈmeɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈmeɪd/
ΚΠ
1778 W. Marshall Minutes Agric. Digest 66 Re-load under-made Hay.
underpoliced adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəpᵿˈliːst/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərpəˈlist/
ΚΠ
1936Under-policed [see undergarrison vb. at sense 5(a)(i)].
1978 N.Y. Times 30 Mar. a20/5 Underpoliced and unkempt, [the bus terminal]..serves as headquarters for an ominous army of hookers, muggers and pimps.
underpowered adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈpaʊəd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈpaʊərd/
ΚΠ
1905 R. Kipling Actions & Reactions (1909) 128 Under-powered craft..can ascend to the limit of their lift.
1980 ‘M. Harris’ Treasure of Sainte Foy i. 4 The small Renault is underpowered and rather cheaply built.
underpublicised adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈpʌblᵻsʌɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈpəbləˌsaɪzd/
ΚΠ
1971 H. Wilson Labour Govt. xxxvi. 739 One of the under-publicised achievements of comprehensive secondary education.
under-rigged adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈrɪɡd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndə(r)ˈrɪɡd/
ΚΠ
1881 Daily Tel. 20 Oct. 8/1 An absurdly under-rigged steamer.
under-ripened adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈrʌɪp(ə)nd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndə(r)ˈraɪpənd/
ΚΠ
1844 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm II. 673 The under-ripened seed of the bad season of 1841 produced the good crop of potatoes of 1842.
undersaturated adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈsatjᵿreɪtᵻd/
,
/ˌʌndəˈsatʃᵿreɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈsætʃəˌreɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1832 Nat. Philos. (Libr. Useful Knowl.) II. Electricity ii. §49. 13 In a deficiency of fluid, or in matter under-saturated.
understained adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈsteɪnd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈsteɪnd/
ΚΠ
1941 Ann. Bot. 5 203 Large distal segments which appear as heterochromatin in mitosis, that is to say they are overstained in resting nuclei and, after freezing, understained in metaphase.
1956 Nature 10 Mar. 452/2 It usually appears as three dots arranged in a triangle, suggesting the presence of an under-stained (‘heterochromatic’) region close to the centromere.
understamped adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈstampt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈstæmpt/
ΚΠ
1900 Christian 15 Nov. 9/1 We frequently have to pay.. excess on delivery of understamped letters.
understressed adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈstrɛst/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈstrɛst/
ΚΠ
1900 London, Edinb. & Dublin Philos. Mag. 50 132 A lower factor of safety might..be used in such cases, where there is a large reserve of understressed material.
1928 Observer 17 June 8 It is a curious book. Colloquial and offhand, deliberately understressed in feeling and description, [etc.].
1969 Harper's Bazaar Sept. 27/1 An expensive car must be one hundred per cent reliable, and this..means an under-stressed engine of the simplest possible kind.
undertilled adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈtɪld/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈtɪld/
ΚΠ
1778 W. Marshall Minutes Agric. Digest 134 Whose Farm is for ever under~stocked, under-dunged, and under-tilled!
undervitalized adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈvʌɪtəlʌɪzd/
,
/ˌʌndəˈvʌɪtl̩ʌɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈvaɪdlˌaɪzd/
ΚΠ
1861 O. W. Holmes in Atlantic Monthly Sept. 349/1 They are very commonly pallid, undervitalized, shy, sensitive creatures.
(iv) elliptical.
ΚΠ
1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xxviii. sig. N4v I hold it a greater iniurie to bee ouer-valued, then vnder.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre I. vii. 111 The under or the over dressing of a dish.
(b) With nouns, in the sense of ‘insufficient, deficient, defective’, contrasted with over- prefix 2b(c). Examples occur in the 17th cent. in underprice, -rate, -value, -wages, and are not uncommon in later use, though less frequent than the verbal forms. Recent examples include under-capacity, -emphasis, -fulfilment, -population, -recovery, -registration.
undercapacity n.
Brit. /ˌʌndəkəˈpasᵻti/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərkəˈpæsədi/
ΚΠ
1962 E. Snow Other Side of River (1963) lxxxvi. 725 The American problem of abundance or overcapacity to produce commodities and undercapacity to consume them.
underemphasis n.
Brit. /ˌʌndə(r)ˈɛmfəsɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɛmfəsəs/
ΚΠ
1916 E. Pound Let. 17 Apr. (1971) 76 In ‘Impression’, I don't think ‘dissolved’ is just the right word, though I recognize that you may have been aiming at a sort of restraint or under-emphasis which can be effective.
1977 M. Edelman Polit. Lang. v. 83 Hess and Torney found a repetitive emphasis in the schools on the values of loyalty, authority, and law, and an underemphasis on citizens' rights.
underexercise n.
Brit. /ˌʌndə(r)ˈɛksəsʌɪz/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɛksərˌsaɪz/
ΚΠ
1895 Pop. Sci. Monthly July 380 The result is always over~eating and under-exercise.
underfulfillment n.
Brit. /ˌʌndəfʊlˈfɪlm(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərfᵿ(l)ˈfɪlmənt/
ΚΠ
1962 E. Snow Other Side of River (1963) vii. 58 I can't recall visiting any mine or factory where ‘underfulfillment’ was predicted.
undergovernment n.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈɡʌvnm(ə)nt/
,
/ˌʌndəˈɡʌvəm(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɡəvər(n)mənt/
ΚΠ
1861 M. Arnold Pop. Educ. France 11 I shall proceed to point out..some inconveniences of under-government.
undernutrition n.
Brit. /ˌʌndənjuːˈtrɪʃn/
,
/ˌʌndənjᵿˈtrɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˌn(j)uˈtrɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1899 S. N. Patten Devel. Eng. Thought vi. 382 Overnutrition as well as undernutrition weakens the body.
underpopulation n.
Brit. /ˌʌndəpɒpjᵿˈleɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1922 Daily Mail 29 Nov. 8/4 The absurd underpopulation of the country parts.
1966 Times 28 Mar. (Austral. Suppl.) p. xii/6 Faced with the difficulties of isolation and under-population, managements argue that secondhand top name overseas packages are a cheaper..investment.
underpressure n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌprɛʃə/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌprɛʃər/
ΚΠ
c1900 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. VI. 158 (Cent. Dict. Suppl.) The foul air..makes a direct escape,..providing..it meets or passes no compartment on its way in which under~pressure exists.
underproduction n.
Brit. /ˌʌndəprəˈdʌkʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərprəˈdəkʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌəndərˌproʊˈdəkʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1887 Pall Mall Gaz. 28 Feb. 1/2 Over production may exist in manufactures owing to under production of crops.
under-recovery n.
Brit. /ˌʌndərᵻˈkʌv(ə)ri/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərəˈkəv(ə)ri/
,
/ˌəndəriˈkəv(ə)ri/
ΚΠ
1961 Ann. Reg. 1960 511 The Sugar Board..revealed a loss..; the deficit brought the Board's total ‘under-recovery’ to £7·1 million.
under-registration n.
Brit. /ˌʌndərɛdʒᵻˈstreɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌəndə(r)ˌrɛdʒəˈstreɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1952 C. P. Blacker Eugenics: Galton & After 160 Lorimer gives good reasons for thinking that this discrepancy arose from under-registration of deaths, especially of infantile deaths, in the intervening period.
under-representation n.
Brit. /ˌʌndərɛprᵻz(ɛ)nˈteɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌəndə(r)ˌrɛprəˌzɛnˈteɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1894 Westm. Gaz. 14 Sept. 1/3 More important..is the under-representation of the big societies.
undersupply n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəsəplʌɪ/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərsəˌplaɪ/
ΚΠ
1864 Ruskin in Daily Tel. 31 Oct. An under-supply of wages and an over-supply of labourers.
underventilation n.
Brit. /ˌʌndəvɛntᵻˈleɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˌvɛn(t)əˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining 268 Under ventilation, too little air circulating in a mine.
(c) With adjectives under- is rarely employed as the opposite of over- prefix 2b(b), except when directly suggested by the latter, e.g. under-scrupulous as the opposite of overscrupulous; underhonest (Shakespeare) in contrast to overproud; under-ripe, etc.
ΚΠ
1971 Nature 23 Apr. 517/1 With this value..Fig. 1 suggests that the primary is grossly underluminous for its mass.
6.
undercrackers n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəˌkrakəz/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌkrækərz/
[compare cracker n. 10] British underpants.
ΚΠ
1994 Evening Standard 28 Apr. 49 Albert and Harold sat in the living room of their scrapyard-cum-hovel... Albert, so filthy he could grow a herb garden in his undercrackers, was campaigning for the Tories.
2003 Smash Hits! 12 Nov. 6/1 (caption) Kelli thought putting chilli powder in Kev's undercrackers was hilarious.
under-call n.
Brit. /ˈʌndəkɔːl/
,
U.S. /ˈəndərˌkɔl/
,
/ˈəndərˌkɑl/
Bridge = under-bid n. 2
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > bridge > [noun] > actions or tactics > call > bidding > bid > other types of bid
ask1872
overcall1890
rescue bid1912
game-goer1913
reverse bid1915
denial1916
rebid1916
overbid?1917
rescue?1917
under-call1923
jump1927
invitation1928
score-bid1928
approach1929
pre-empt1929
one-over-one1931
response1931
cue-bid1932
psychic1932
asking bid1936
reverse1936
shut-out1936
under-bid1945
controlled psychic1959
relay bid1959
raise1964
psych1965
multi1972
splinter bid1977
1923 Daily Mail 6 Oct. 6/4 The call of ‘3 diamonds’ is an under-call.
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under-call v.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈkɔːl/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈkɔl/
,
/ˌəndərˈkɑl/
= underbid v. 4.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

under-prefix2

Stress is usually determined by a subsequent element and vowels may be reduced accordingly.
Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: under prep.
Etymology: < under prep.
Originating in the coalescence of the preposition under prep. with a following noun, the compound being then usually employed as an adjective or adverb, as underfoot n., underground adv., underhand adv., understairs n., underwater adj.Purely adjectival formations, as under-celestial (Florio), -natural (1642), -proficient (1703), are rare. An unusual type occurs in undergraduate n. and adj.
underaverage adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndə(r)ˈav(ə)rɪdʒ/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈæv(ə)rɪdʒ/
ΚΠ
1892 Daily News 1 Feb. 2/3 The Indian season being..dull in consequence of under-average grain crops.
underguard adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈɡɑːd/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɡɑrd/
ΚΠ
1886 Pall Mall Gaz. 24 Aug. 4/2 The substitution for the old under-guard lever of the ‘snap’, or spring action for opening the breech.
undergovernment adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈɡʌvnm(ə)nt/
,
/ˌʌndəˈɡʌvəm(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈɡəvər(n)mənt/
ΚΠ
1876 T. Hardy Hand of Ethelberta I. ii. 31 Everything turned upon whether the postmaster..would be in his under-government manner.
under-ice adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndə(r)ˈʌɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈaɪs/
ΚΠ
1966 Times 28 Feb. (Canada Suppl.) p. xvi/6 The submarine freighter..must have an under-ice capacity of 800 to 1,000 miles.
1976 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Arts 124 638/2 BAS has undertaken surface sledge traverses for major anomalies and to interpret the under-ice rocks and principal structural features such as George VI Sound.
undermountain adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈmaʊntᵻn/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈmaʊnt(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1887 G. Meredith Ballads & Poems 149 Some undermountain narrative he tells.
under-river adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈrɪvə/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈrɪvər/
ΚΠ
1894 Daily News 3 Sept. 4/1 The work of real difficulty is..the under-river portion of the tunnel.
underswamp adj.
Brit. /ˌʌndəˈswɒmp/
,
U.S. /ˌəndərˈswɑmp/
ΚΠ
1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 301 A bridge across an under-swamp river.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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