under-
pref.（前缀）

Beneath or below in position:
在…下：位置低于或在…之下：
underground.
地下
Inferior or subordinate in rank or importance:
低于…：等级或重要性较低的或次要的：
undersecretary.
次长
Less in degree, rate, or quantity than normal or proper:
次于…：程度、比率或数量低于正常或适当水平：
undersized.
小型的

语源

Middle English
中古英语
from Old English * see ödher-
源自古英语 *参见 ödher-

用法

Many compounds other than those entered here may be formed withunder-. In forming compounds,under- is joined with the following element without space or a hyphen: underrate; undergrow. Note, however, that the adjectiveunder may combine with other words as a unit modifier. In such cases the words are joined by hyphens:an under-the-table deal.
除了这里例举的之外还有许多复合词都是用under- 组成的。 under- 和下列成分组成复合词时，中间不留空格或不加连字符： underrate; undergrow（低估；发育不全）。但注意，形容词under 可以和其它词共同构成一修饰语。在这种情况下中单词需加连字符：an under-the-table deal（暗中交易）

under-

prefix

below or beneath

⇒ underarm

⇒ underground

of lesser importance or lower rank

⇒ undersecretary

to a lesser degree than is proper; insufficient or insufficiently

⇒ undercharge

⇒ underemployed

indicating secrecy or deception

⇒ underhand

Example Sentences

His audiences were composed principally of laborers and their families, many of whom barely under-

Adair, Tom (Intro) Three Kinds of Kissing - Scottish Short Stories

Juan Jose Morales thought it was not worth the effort to try to under-

Adair, Tom (Intro) Three Kinds of Kissing - Scottish Short Stories

He used so many Pennsylvania Dutch words and phrases with his English that it was difficult for the girls to under-

Keene, Carolyn The Witch Tree Symbol

under- /ˈʌndə/ combining form.

ORIGIN: Repr. under adverb, preposition. In early use translating Latin sub-.

Prefixed to verbs, nouns, adjectives, & adverbs in various relations and with various senses, esp. indicating (a) position or motion below or beneath; (b) inferiority, subjection, subordination; (c) lesser amount or degree; (d) insufficiency, inadequacy, incompleteness.

DERIVATIVE underˈact verb trans. & intrans. act (a part) inadequately or with excessive restraint E17.
under-action noun (rare) (a) subordinate or subsidiary action in a dramatic plot; (b) insufficient action: L17.
underˈactive adjective showing or marked by underactivity M20.
underacˈtivity noun diminished or insufficient activity M20.
under-actor noun a subordinate actor or protagonist E18.
under-agent noun a deputy or subordinate agent L17.
underˈarch verb trans. (rare) support (as) with an arch E17.
underbark adjective (of a measurement) taken after the bark has been removed from a log E20.
underˈbear verb trans. (now rare) (a) suffer, endure; (b) support; (c)^†(rare, Shakes.) in pass., be trimmmed or edged round the lower part: OE.
underˈbearer noun (now dial. & US) a pallbearer E18.
underbearing adjective (rare) unassuming E19.
underbed noun & adjective (a) noun (now rare) a bed under another bed; (b) adjective (of a drawer etc.) situated under a bed: M17.
underbevelling noun bevelling on the inside of a timber frame M18.
underˈbill verb trans. (US) bill or enter (goods) at less than the actual amount or value L19.
underbit noun (US) an earmark made on the lower part of an animal's ear M19.
underbite noun [after overbite] (in non-technical use) the projection of the lower jaw or the lower incisors beyond the upper L20.
underˈbitted adjective (N. English) (of an animal) earmarked on the lower part of the ear M16.
underblanket noun a blanket (now esp. an electric blanket) laid under the bottom sheet, as opp. to one used as a covering E19.
underboard adverb (long arch.) (a)^†under the table; (b) secretly; not openly or honestly: M16.
underbodice noun a bodice worn under another L19.
underbonnet adjective & adverb (situated or occurring) under the bonnet of a motor vehicle M20.
underboss noun a boss's deputy, esp. in the Mafia or another criminal organization M20.
underbough noun a lower branch of a tree E16.
underbreath noun & adjective (a) noun a whisper; (b) adjective whispered: M19.
underbridge noun a bridge spanning an opening beneath a road or railway E19.
underbrim noun (a trimming or lining attached to) the underside of the brim of a hat E20.
underˈbuild verb trans. build under so as to strengthen or support, underpin E17.
under-builder noun an assistant or subordinate builder M17.
underˈburn verb trans. burn insufficiently M19.
underbush noun undergrowth M19.
under-butler noun an assistant butler E17.
undercap noun (long obsolete exc. Scot.) a cap worn under another M16.
undercard noun (Boxing) a contest placed second on the billing M20.
undercart noun (colloq.) = undercarriage 2 M20.
underˈcarve verb trans. cut away from below or behind E20.
underˈcharacterize verb trans. depict or play with insufficient characterization or subtlety M20.
underchosen adjective designating members of a sociometric group who are chosen less than the average number of times M20.
underˈclad adjective (arch.) insufficiently clothed E17.
underclass noun a subordinate social class; spec. a class of people excluded by poverty and unemployment from any opportunity offered by society: E20.
underclassman noun (US) a sophomore, a freshman L19.
underclay noun a bed of clay under a stratum, now spec. under a coal seam M17.
under-clerk noun an assistant or subordinate clerk LME.
undercliff noun a terrace or lower cliff formed by a landslip E19.
undercling noun & verb (Mountaineering) (a) noun a handhold which faces down the rock face; (b) verb intrans. climb using such handholds: L20.
undercloak noun (Building) the lower of two layers of material used to form a watertight covering L19.
underˈclub verb refl. & intrans. (Golf) select for (oneself) a club which will not, in the normal course of events, strike the ball the required distance E20.
undercolour noun & verb (a) noun a colour under another; (b) verb trans. colour lightly or less strongly (lit. & fig.) (chiefly as undercoloured ppl adjective): E17.
underconˈsumption noun consumption exceeded by production or supply L19.
underconˈsumptionist noun & adjective (a) noun an advocate of an economic theory of underconsumption; (b) adjective of or pertaining to underconsumption or underconsumptionists: M20.
underˈcook verb trans. cook too little or for too short a time M19.
under-cook noun a subordinate cook L16.
underˈcool verb (a) verb trans. & intrans. supercool (freq. as undercooled ppl adjective, undercooling verbal noun); (b) verb trans. cool insufficiently: L19.
undercount noun an incomplete enumeration; spec. the amount by which the number enumerated in a census falls short of the actual number in the group: M20.
underˈcount verb trans. make an undercount of (chiefly as undercounting verbal noun) M20.
undercovering noun a covering under another, an undercoat L15.
undercovert noun (a) a covert of undergrowth; (b) any of the small close feathers on the underside of a bird's wing or tail: E19.
^†undercraft noun (a) hidden or secret craft or cunning; (b) a sly underhand trick: LME–M18.
underˈcreep verb (obsolete exc. dial.) (a) verb intrans. creep in; (b) verb trans. creep under (a thing); fig. subvert secretly; outdo by cunning: LME.
^†undercrest verb trans. support as on a crest: only in E17.
undercrust noun a crust or layer beneath another E18.
undercup noun the lower section or underside of a bra cup M20.
underˈdamp verb trans. damp (a physical system) incompletely, so as to allow only a few oscillations after a single disturbance: M20.
underdamper noun a damper placed below a hammer in an upright piano L19.
underdeck noun the lower deck of a ship E19.
under-devil noun (rare) a subordinate devil M17.
underdifferentiˈation noun (Linguistics) incomplete differentiation of phonemic elements, esp. in loanwords from a language in which certain phonemic distinctions do not correspond to those in the receiving language M20.
underdip adjective (Mining) lying below the level of the bottom of the engine-pit M19.
underdiˈspersed adjective (Ecology) exhibiting underdispersion M20.
underdiˈspersion noun (Ecology) a greater evenness in the distribution of individuals than would be expected on purely statistical grounds M20.
underˈdoctored adjective insufficiently supplied with doctors; short of doctors M20.
underˈdot verb trans. mark with a dot or dots beneath (chiefly as underdotted ppl adjective) L19.
underdrain noun an underground drain E19.
underˈdrain verb trans. drain by means of underground trenches (freq. as underdraining verbal noun) E19.
underdrainage noun underground drainage E19.
underdrift noun an undercurrent (lit. & fig.) M19.
underdrive noun a speed-reducing gear in a motor vehicle which may be used in addition to the ordinary gears to provide an additional set of gear ratios E20.
underearth noun (a) the earth or soil lying under the surface soil; Mining the layer of clay etc. under a coal seam; (b) the regions below the earth: E17.
underearth adjective (arch.) subterranean, underground L16.
underedge noun the lower edge of something, spec. the inside edge or bottom of a cricket bat L17.
underˈeducate verb trans. educate to an insufficient degree or for an insufficient length of time (chiefly as undereducated ppl adjective) M19.
undereduˈcation noun education to an insufficient degree or for an insufficient length of time L20.
underˈemphasis noun an insufficient degree of emphasis E20.
underˈemphasize verb trans. emphasize insufficiently M20.
underemˈploy verb trans. provide insufficient employment for (chiefly as underemployed ppl adjective) E20.
underface noun (poet.) the lower part of the face M19.
under-falconer noun (chiefly hist.) a subordinate falconer M17.
underfall noun a foothill M19.
under-farmer noun a subordinate farmer, a tenant farmer E17.
underfeature noun a minor feature in a landscape; a slight elevation: L19.
underfelt noun felt for an underlay, esp. beneath a carpet L19.
^†underfiend noun a fiend from the regions beneath the earth: only in E17.
under-flame noun (arch., rare) a lesser or lower flame M17.
underfloor adjective occurring or situated below floor level, operating below the surface of the floor, (freq. in underfloor heating) L19.
underˈfloor verb trans. provide with a floor, form a floor to L18.
underframe noun (a) the substructure of a railway carriage or motor vehicle; (b) the framework supporting a chair seat or tabletop: M19.
underframing noun an underframe M19.
underfug noun (school slang) an undervest; underpants: E20.
underfunction noun & verb (Medicine) (a) noun = hypofunction noun; (b) verb intrans. exhibit underfunction; have a diminished capacity for acting and responding: M20.
underˈfund verb trans. provide insufficient funding for (chiefly as underfunded ppl adjective) L20.
underˈfunding noun insufficient funding M20.
underfur noun an inner layer of shorter fur or down underlying an animal's outer fur L19.
under-gardener noun a subordinate gardener L17.
undergarment noun a garment worn under others, an article of underclothing M16.
undergear noun (a) rare underclothing; (b) the chassis of a caravan: L19.
underˈgird verb trans. (a)^†gather up (a garment) from below with a belt etc.; (b) make secure underneath, fig. strengthen, support, (orig. with allus. to Acts 27:17): LME.
under-god noun a subordinate or minor god L16.
undergrass noun (rare) a grass beneath a tree etc.; grass forming an underlayer: M19.
undergrip noun (a) Gymnastics a hold in which the hands pass beneath the horizontal bar, with the palms facing the gymnast; (b) Mountaineering = underhold (b): E20.
under-grove noun (literary) a lower or lesser grove M18.
undergrowl noun a low growl, a growl in an undertone M19.
underhair noun (a) the shorter hair in a tress or lock of hair; (b) Zoology = underfur: M20.
underhammer noun a mechanism in a piano regulating the adjustment of a hopper M19.
under-hangman noun (rare) a subordinate or lesser hangman E17.
under-head noun (a) a subordinate or lesser official; (b)^†a person of inferior intelligence: L16.
underheaven noun (poet., rare) the region below the heavens, the earth L16.
underˈhew verb trans. (rare) (a)^†undercut, undermine; (b) US fell (timber) so that it contains less than the proper number of cubic feet: E16.
underˈhive verb trans. (long rare or obsolete) place (bees) in too small a hive M17.
underhold noun (a) a hold in wrestling in which the arms are below those of one's opponent; (b) a hold in mountaineering in which the hand grasps a downturned edge or point from beneath with the palm upwards, used esp. to maintain balance (also called undergrip): L19.
underˈhole verb trans. & intrans. (rare) (a)^†undermine; (b) Mining (US) undercut: LME.
underˈhonest adjective (rare) less than honest, dishonest E17.
underˈhorsed adjective having a horse or horses inadequate to one's needs or means M19.
under-housemaid noun a subordinate housemaid L18.
underinˈsurance noun insurance of goods, property, etc., at less than the real value L19.
underinˈsure verb trans. & intrans. insure (goods, property, etc.) at less than the real value L19.
underinˈvest verb trans. & intrans. fail to invest (money, resources, etc.) to a sufficient level L20.
underinˈvestment noun the underinvesting of money, resources, etc. M20.
underjaw noun (now rare) the lower jaw, the mandible L17.
underjawed adjective having an underhung lower jaw L18.
underkeel noun (US, now rare or obsolete) a notch on the underside of an animal's ear as a mark of ownership L17.
^†underkeep verb trans. (rare, Spenser) keep under or in subjection: only in L16.
under-keeper noun (a) an assistant keeper of a forest, park, etc.; a subordinate or assistant gamekeeper; (b) (now rare) a subordinate custodian or warder: E16.
under-king noun (obsolete exc. hist.) a king subordinate to other rulers having the title of king OE.
under-kingdom noun (obsolete exc. hist.) the realm of an under-king; a subordinate kingdom: L16.
under-labourer noun a subordinate or assistant labourer M17.
underland noun (chiefly literary) a land lying under or below another L19.
underlap noun (a) rare the fact or state of underlapping something; (b) in warp knitting, the lateral movements of the guide bar made on the side of the needle remote from the hook; (c) a thing which underlaps another; esp. a piece of material extending beneath another fold or pleat: L19.
underˈlap verb trans. lie or be situated so as to extend beneath and be covered by part of (a thing) M19.
underlead noun (Bridge) the lead of a low card in a suit of which a higher card is held by the player M20.
underˈlead verb trans. (Bridge) lead with a card of lower value than (another card of the suit held) M20.
underleaf noun (a) a variety of cider apple; (b) the underside of a leaf; a lower leaf: E18.
underlease noun a sublease E18.
underˈlease verb trans. sublease (property) E19.
underleather noun a piece of leather forming the lower part of something; esp. the leather sole of a shoe: ME.
underlessee noun a person holding property under a sublease M18.
underˈlet verb trans. (a) let at less than the true value; (b) sublet: L17.
underlever noun & adjective (operated by) a lever behind the trigger guard on a rifle L19.
underlid noun a lower lid; spec. the lower eyelid E17.
underlife noun a life beneath the surface or on a lower level (lit. & fig.) M19.
underlift noun upward movement from below M19.
underlight noun (rare) (a) light from below; (b) insufficient light: E17.
underˈlimbed adjective (esp. of a horse) having legs too slender in proportion to the body L17.
underlinen noun underclothing, esp. made of linen M19.
underlip noun (a) the lower lip; (b) Music an indentation in the foot of an organ pipe: M17.
underlit adjective having insufficient light, dim M20.
underload noun an occurrence or state of not being loaded to capacity M20.
underˈloaded adjective not loaded or burdened to capacity; spec. in Physical Geography (of a stream), carrying less than the maximum amount of sediment and eroding down into the bed: L19.
underlook noun a covert look or glance E19.
underˈlook verb trans. (a) look at or inspect from beneath, look up at; (b) fail to see or observe by looking too low: LME.
under-looker noun a subordinate overseer, esp. in a specified industry L19.
under-lord noun a lord subordinate to other lords or rulers; a person in authority below another: E20.
under-lordship noun (rare) the position or authority of an under-lord M20.
underlout noun (long obsolete exc. dial.) an underling ME.
undermanager noun a manager subordinate to another manager M18.
under-marshal noun a subordinate or deputy marshal L17.
undermass noun (Geology) an older, deformed body of rock overlain by younger, undeformed strata M20.
underˈmasted ppl adjective (of a ship) provided with too low or too light a mast or masts L16.
under-master noun (a) a subordinate instructor; spec. in a school, a master subordinate to a headmaster; (b) rare a subordinate director or supervisor: LME.
undermeaning noun an underlying meaning M19.
underˈmeasure verb trans. (rare) measure or calculate insufficiently or below the correct amount L17.
underˈmodulate verb trans. & intrans. (Electronics) subject to, cause, or suffer undermodulation M20.
undermoduˈlation noun (Electronics) insufficient amplitude modulation that fails to make full use of the available capacity of a transmitter or medium or results in too weak a signal M20.
undernote noun a subdued note; an undertone, a suggestion: E19.
underˈnourished adjective insufficiently nourished, esp. over a sustained period; in a state of semi-starvation: E20.
underˈnourishment noun the state or condition of being undernourished E20.
underoccuˈpation noun the state or condition of underoccupying a house etc. M20.
underˈoccupy verb trans. (a) occupy (a house etc.) without using the available accommodation to full capacity; (b) provide insufficient occupation for: M20.
under-officer noun a sub-officer LME.
underˈofficered adjective insufficiently staffed or provided with officers M19.
under-ˈofficered adjective staffed by or provided with under-officers M19.
underpaint noun a layer of paint subsequently overlaid by another coat or finish, an underpainting M20.
underpainting noun (the application of) a layer of paint subsequently overlaid by another coat or finish; a painting underlying a finished work: M19.
underpan noun a protective metal covering fitted beneath the engine, clutch, and transmission of a motor vehicle E20.
underpants noun pl. (in attrib. use usu.
underpant) an undergarment covering the lower part of the body and part of the legs, esp. as worn by men and boys; short knickers, briefs: M20.
underpart noun (a) a lower part or portion; spec. a part of the underside of an animal's body (usu. in pl.); (b) a minor or secondary role or part, esp. in a play; a person playing such a part; (c) a subdivision: M17.
underˈparted adjective (rare) (of an actor) having too easy a part to play L19.
underˈpeep verb (rare) (a) verb trans. peep under (a thing); (b) verb intrans. peep from under a thing: E17.
underˈpeopled adjective having too few people, underpopulated L17.
underpetticoat noun (chiefly hist.) a petticoat, worn esp. to show beneath a dress E17.
underpitch adjective (Architecture) designating a groin or system of groining in which two cylindrical vaults of differing vertical heights intersect L19.
underˈpitched adjective (a)^†(of a roof) having too low a pitch; not sufficiently steep; (b) Cricket (of a ball) not pitched far enough in bowling, short: L17.
underplate verb trans. (Geology) underlie; spec. form a layer on the underside of (an existing stratum); deposit (rock etc.) as such a layer: L20.
underplot noun (a) a subordinate plot in a play etc., a subplot; (b) arch. an underhand scheme or trick: M17.
underˈpole verb trans. (rare) (a) provide (hops or a hop ground) with too short a pole or poles; (b) Metallurgy fail to pole (copper) adequately in refining, so that insufficient oxide is removed: E18.
underˈpopulated adjective having an insufficient or very small population L20.
underpopuˈlation noun the state of being underpopulated E20.
underˈpraise verb trans. praise insufficiently L17.
underˈprint verb trans. (a)^†print or stamp from below or on the underside; (b) print (an engraving or photograph) with insufficient depth of tone: L16.
underˈprivilege noun the state of being underprivileged; lack of the normal standard of living or rights in a society: M20.
underˈprivileged adjective & noun (a) adjective possessing or enjoying too few privileges; spec. lacking the normal standard of living or rights in a society; (b) noun (collect. pl.) the class of underprivileged people: L19.
underˈprize verb trans. prize too little; undervalue: L16.
underproˈduce verb trans. & intrans. produce less of (a commodity) than is usual or required M20.
underproˈduction noun production of less of a commodity than is usual or required M19.
underproducˈtivity noun inadequate productivity L20.
underproˈportioned adjective not adequately proportioned L17.
underˈqualified adjective insufficiently qualified, esp. for a particular job etc. E17.
underˈquote verb trans. (a) quote a lower price than (a person); (b) quote a lower price than others for (goods etc.): L19.
underˈread verb (a) verb trans. read (a measurement etc.) as lower than that actually registered; (b) verb intrans. (of a gauge, dial, etc.) show a reading lower than the true one; (c) verb trans. (of the reading public) read (an author, a book, etc.) with less than normal frequency: M20.
underreamer noun a drilling bit on an oil rig used to drill a hole below the casing, of sufficient size for the casing to be lowered further E20.
underˈreckon verb trans. (now rare) underestimate E17.
underreˈcord verb trans. (a) make too few recordings of (a work or performer) (usu. in pass.); (b) record (sound) using too low a signal, so that playback is distorted; (c) record (data, information, etc.) insufficiently or inadequately: M20.
underreˈhearsal noun insufficient rehearsal of a play, piece of music, etc., for performance E20.
underreˈhearsed adjective (of a play, piece of music, performer, etc.) insufficiently rehearsed for performance M20.
underreˈport verb trans. fail to report (news, data, etc.) fully (freq. as underreported ppl adjective) M20.
underˈrepresent verb trans. provide with inadequate or insufficient representation (freq. as underrepresented ppl adjective) L19.
underreˈsource verb trans. provide insufficient resources for (chiefly as underresourced ppl adjective) L20.
underˈride verb trans. (a) rare form the basis on which (something) occurs; (b) Geology (of a mass of rock, water, etc.) move underneath (another mass): M20.
underˈring verb trans. & intrans. (of a till operator) record too low a price for (a purchase) on a cash register, esp. intentionally so as to keep the excess money; record (a price) incorrectly in this way: L20.
underˈripe adjective (of fruit etc.) insufficiently ripe E18.
underˈroast verb trans. roast insufficiently L16.
underrobe noun (arch.) a robe worn underneath another garment E18.
underroof noun (now only poet.) a tester for a bed; a canopy: E17.
^†under-rower noun each of the apostles, regarded as being subordinate rowers in the vessel of which Christ is the pilot (usu. in pl.) M17–L18.
underˈruff verb & noun (Bridge) (a) verb intrans. undertrump; (b) noun the action of undertrumping, an instance of this: M20.
underˈsaturated adjective not saturated, falling short of being saturated; Petrography (of a rock or magma) in which there is insufficient free silica or other (specified) oxide to saturate all the bases present; Mineralogy (of a mineral) unable to form in the presence of free silica: M19.
undersatuˈration noun the property of being undersaturated E20.
under-school noun (hist.) a lower or junior school E17.
^†underscriber noun a subscriber to a document L17–L18.
under-servant noun a subordinate servant M16.
underˈserve verb trans. (a)^†be subservient to; (b) serve insufficiently; make inadequate provision for: E17.
under-service noun (now rare or obsolete) service of an inferior kind; service as an under-servant: L16.
undersettle noun (obsolete exc. hist.) a person who occupies (part of) a house owned by another; a subtenant: ME.
underˈsexed adjective having a lesser degree of sexual desire than the average M20.
under-sexton noun (now rare) a subordinate sexton LME.
undersheet noun a sheet (to be) placed beneath another L19.
undershepherd noun a subordinate shepherd M17.
undersheriff noun a sheriff's deputy LME.
undershirt noun an undergarment worn beneath a shirt; (chiefly N. Amer.) a vest: M17.
underˈshore verb trans. prop up with a shore or shores; support or strengthen (lit. & fig.): LME.
undershrub noun a small or low-growing shrub; spec. in Botany, a subshrub: L16.
undersketching noun (Art) preliminary sketching left beneath (and visible through) the finished surface of a painting or drawing M20.
underskin noun (rare) an inner skin or layer M17.
under-skinker noun (a)^†a subordinate skinker or tapster; (b) Nautical (now rare or obsolete) an assistant to the purser's steward: L16.
underskirt noun a skirt worn under another; a petticoat: M19.
undersky noun (chiefly poet.) the region of air just beneath the sky; a low layer of cloud: M19.
undersleeve noun a sleeve, esp. one of light material, worn below another M16.
underˈslept adjective having had insufficient sleep; suffering from or characterized by lack of sleep: M20.
underslung adjective (a) (of a vehicle chassis) hanging lower than the axles; (b) gen. that is suspended underneath something or supported from above: E20.
undersoil noun subsoil E18.
undersong noun (chiefly poet.) (a) a subordinate or subdued song or strain, esp. one serving as an accompaniment or refrain to another; (b) fig. an underlying meaning; an undertone: L16.
undersort noun (obsolete exc. dial.) the common people M17.
undersound noun (rare) a sound which is heard beneath another sound M19.
underspin noun a backward spin on a ball causing it to stop quickly or bounce backwards after contact with a surface E20.
underˈspread verb trans. (rare) spread below or underneath E17.
understair(s) noun & adjective (a space) under a staircase E17.
under-steward noun (now rare or obsolete) a deputy steward LME.
underˈstimulate verb trans. subject to understimulation (chiefly as understimulated ppl adjective.) L20.
understimuˈlation noun an insufficiency of either intellectual or sensory stimulation M20.
understock noun = rootstock (b) s.v. root noun¹ M20.
underˈstock verb trans. stock (a farm etc.) insufficiently (chiefly as understocked ppl adjective) L17.
^†understocking noun a stocking worn underneath another (usu. in pl.) E17–M18.
understorey noun (Ecology) the (layer of) vegetation growing beneath the main canopy of a forest M20.
understratum noun an underlying stratum or layer; a substratum: M18.
understream noun a stream flowing beneath another; an undercurrent: M19.
underˈstrike verb trans. (a)^†rare let down (the sails of a ship); (b) strike (from) below: E17.
undersucking adjective (rare) (a) sucking from below; (b) sucking down: E17.
undersurface noun the lower or under surface M18.
underswell noun (chiefly fig.) a swell below the surface; an undercurrent: M19.
underˈtax verb trans. tax insufficiently (chiefly as undertaxed ppl adjective) E18.
under-teacher noun (now rare) a deputy or subordinate teacher L16.
underthrust noun (Geology) an instance of underthrusting; a fault at which this has taken place: L19.
underˈthrust verb trans. (Geology) (of a mass of rock) be forced underneath (another mass) L19.
undertide noun an underlying tide or flow, an undercurrent, (chiefly fig.) M19.
underˈtie verb trans. (rare) (a) tie (something) beneath; tie beneath (something); (b) Angling tie (the wings of a fly) so as to cover the point of the hook: M16.
underˈtip verb trans. give an inadequate or insufficient gratuity to L20.
under-treasurer noun a deputy treasurer; spec. (hist.) the officer immediately subordinate to the Lord High Treasurer of England: LME.
underˈtrial noun in the Indian subcontinent, a person held in custody awaiting trial M20.
undertrick noun (Bridge) a trick by which the declarer falls short of his or her contract E20.
underˈtrump verb trans. & intrans. (Cards) play a lower trump than (another player) M19.
undertunic noun a tunic worn beneath other clothing E19.
underturf adjective (now rare or obsolete) (of earth or soil) situated or found below the turf L17.
undervaluˈation noun the action or an act of undervaluing E17.
undervalue noun (a)^†rare insufficiency in worth; (b) value or estimate below the worth of a thing: E17.
underˈvalue verb trans. (a)^†rate as inferior in value to; (b) underestimate the value or worth of; (c) appreciate insufficiently; (d) reduce or diminish in value or worth; devalue: L16.
underˈvaluer noun a person who undervalues something: M17.
under-vassal noun (obsolete exc. hist.) a subordinate vassal L16.
undervest noun an undergarment worn on the upper part of the body; a vest: E19.
under-viewer noun (Mining) an under-looker L19.
undervoice noun (rare) an undertone; an underlying voice (lit. & fig.): E19.
undervoltage noun & adjective (Electricity) (a) noun a voltage less than that required to operate a device efficiently; (b) adjective designating a shunt release which opens or closes a circuit when the voltage drops below a pre-determined value: M20.
undervote noun (US) a ballot paper or vote not counted because of unclear marking by the voter L20.
underwaistcoat noun a waistcoat worn beneath a coat or jacket M18.
under-warden noun a deputy or subordinate warden LME.
underwave noun (chiefly poet.) an underlying wave M19.
underwear noun underclothes L19.
underˈwind verb trans. wind (a thing) insufficiently; Biochemistry wind (a helical molecule, esp. DNA) less tightly than normal (freq. as underwinding verbal noun, underwound ppl adjective) L20.
underwire noun (a) a wire or other support stitched into the underside of each cup of a bra to uplift or shape the breast (freq. attrib.); the material used for this; (b) a bra with such support: L20.
underwired adjective (of a bra) having an underwire M20.
underwit noun (long rare) (a)^†a poor or inferior kind of wit; (b) a stupid or foolish person, an imbecile: M17.
underˈwitted adjective (long rare) stupid, foolish; imbecile: L17.
underwood noun (a) small trees, shrubs, etc., growing beneath higher timber trees; (b) a quantity, area, or particular kind of this undergrowth: ME.
underwool noun (a) rare wool used to make underwear; woollen underclothes; (b) a layer of wool lying beneath the outer layer on an animal: E20.
under-worker noun an assistant or subordinate worker E18.
under-workman noun (now rare or obsolete) an assistant or subordinate workman E17.

☞ under

under-

Prefix

Under (in any sense): insufficient, insufficiently, below what is correct; subordinate to; beneath or behind.

Etymology

From Middle English under-, from Old English under-, from Proto-Germanic *under, from Proto-Indo-European *ndhero- (“lower”), akin to Old English under (“under, beneath”), Old High German untar (“under”), Latin infra (“below, beneath”).

Usage notes

In many common cases, this prefix is attached directly to a word. When forming new words, however, it is typically hyphenated until the word becomes common.

Derived terms

English words prefixed with under-

前缀：under-

① 表示“在…下”

underground 地下的（under+ground地）

underwrite 在…下面写（under+write写）

underline 划线于…下（under+line线，在字底下划线，引申为强调）

undersea 在海底（under+sea海）

undermine 破坏，损坏（under+mine挖→挖墙角）

underling 下属（under+ling小人物→下属）

underclothing 内衣裤（under+clothing衣服）

underwear 内衣（under+wear穿衣服）

② 表示“不足，不够”

underestimate 估计不足（under+estimate估计）

underplay 对…轻描淡写（under+play玩→没玩够→说得不够的）

underpopulated 人口稀少的（under+populated有人住的）

underdeveloped 不发达的（under+developed发展→发展不够）

undersized 不够大的（under+sized大的→不够大的）

③ 表示“副手”

underagent 副代理人（under+agent代理人）

underofficer 下级官员（under+officer官员）

前缀：under-

1、下

underground 地下的

underworld 下层社会

underfoot 在脚下

underwrite 写于...之下

undersea 在海底

underlay 置于...之下

underline 划线于...之下

underside 下侧，下面

2、内（用于衣服）

underclothing 内衣裤

underthings 女子内衣裤

undershirt 贴身内衣

underskirt 衬裙

undervest 贴身内衣

underpants 内裤，衬裤

underwear （总称）内衣

undershorts 短衬裤

3、不足、少

underpay 付资不足

underproduction 生产不足

underestimate 估计不足

underdress 穿衣太少

undermanned 人员不足的

underfed 喂得太少的

undersized 不够大的

underwork 少做工作

underdeveloped 不发达的

underpopulated 人口稀少的

4、副、次

undersecretary 次长、副部长

underagent 副代理人

前缀：under-

【词根含义】：在下,不足

【同源单词】：misunderstand, misunderstanding, underestimate, undergo, undergraduate

词汇	under-
词根词缀	AHD Collins Dictionary.com Macquarie NewOxfordEC OED SOED WBD Wiktionary YoudictWordRoots under- pref.（前缀） Beneath or below in position: 在…下：位置低于或在…之下： underground. 地下 Inferior or subordinate in rank or importance: 低于…：等级或重要性较低的或次要的： undersecretary. 次长 Less in degree, rate, or quantity than normal or proper: 次于…：程度、比率或数量低于正常或适当水平： undersized. 小型的语源 Middle English 中古英语 from Old English * see ödher- 源自古英语参见 ödher- 用法 Many compounds other than those entered here may be formed withunder-. In forming compounds,under-* is joined with the following element without space or a hyphen: underrate; undergrow. Note, however, that the adjectiveunder may combine with other words as a unit modifier. In such cases the words are joined by hyphens:an under-the-table deal. 除了这里例举的之外还有许多复合词都是用under- 组成的。 under- 和下列成分组成复合词时，中间不留空格或不加连字符： underrate; undergrow（低估；发育不全）。但注意，形容词under 可以和其它词共同构成一修饰语。在这种情况下中单词需加连字符：an under-the-table deal（暗中交易） under- prefix below or beneath ⇒ underarm ⇒ underground of lesser importance or lower rank ⇒ undersecretary to a lesser degree than is proper; insufficient or insufficiently ⇒ undercharge ⇒ underemployed indicating secrecy or deception ⇒ underhand Example Sentences His audiences were composed principally of laborers and their families, many of whom barely under- Adair, Tom (Intro) Three Kinds of Kissing - Scottish Short Stories Juan Jose Morales thought it was not worth the effort to try to under- Adair, Tom (Intro) Three Kinds of Kissing - Scottish Short Stories He used so many Pennsylvania Dutch words and phrases with his English that it was difficult for the girls to under- Keene, Carolyn The Witch Tree Symbol under- /ˈʌndə/ combining form. ORIGIN: Repr. under adverb, preposition. In early use translating Latin sub-. Prefixed to verbs, nouns, adjectives, & adverbs in various relations and with various senses, esp. indicating (a) position or motion below or beneath; (b) inferiority, subjection, subordination; (c) lesser amount or degree; (d) insufficiency, inadequacy, incompleteness. DERIVATIVE underˈact verb trans. & intrans. act (a part) inadequately or with excessive restraint E17. under-action noun (rare) (a) subordinate or subsidiary action in a dramatic plot; (b) insufficient action: L17. underˈactive adjective showing or marked by underactivity M20. underacˈtivity noun diminished or insufficient activity M20. under-actor noun a subordinate actor or protagonist E18. under-agent noun a deputy or subordinate agent L17. underˈarch verb trans. (rare) support (as) with an arch E17. underbark adjective (of a measurement) taken after the bark has been removed from a log E20. underˈbear verb trans. (now rare) (a) suffer, endure; (b) support; (c)^†(rare, Shakes.) in pass., be trimmmed or edged round the lower part: OE. underˈbearer noun (now dial. & US) a pallbearer E18. underbearing adjective (rare) unassuming E19. underbed noun & adjective (a) noun (now rare) a bed under another bed; (b) adjective (of a drawer etc.) situated under a bed: M17. underbevelling noun bevelling on the inside of a timber frame M18. underˈbill verb trans. (US) bill or enter (goods) at less than the actual amount or value L19. underbit noun (US) an earmark made on the lower part of an animal's ear M19. underbite noun [after overbite] (in non-technical use) the projection of the lower jaw or the lower incisors beyond the upper L20. underˈbitted adjective (N. English) (of an animal) earmarked on the lower part of the ear M16. underblanket noun a blanket (now esp. an electric blanket) laid under the bottom sheet, as opp. to one used as a covering E19. underboard adverb (long arch.) (a)^†under the table; (b) secretly; not openly or honestly: M16. underbodice noun a bodice worn under another L19. underbonnet adjective & adverb (situated or occurring) under the bonnet of a motor vehicle M20. underboss noun a boss's deputy, esp. in the Mafia or another criminal organization M20. underbough noun a lower branch of a tree E16. underbreath noun & adjective (a) noun a whisper; (b) adjective whispered: M19. underbridge noun a bridge spanning an opening beneath a road or railway E19. underbrim noun (a trimming or lining attached to) the underside of the brim of a hat E20. underˈbuild verb trans. build under so as to strengthen or support, underpin E17. under-builder noun an assistant or subordinate builder M17. underˈburn verb trans. burn insufficiently M19. underbush noun undergrowth M19. under-butler noun an assistant butler E17. undercap noun (long obsolete exc. Scot.) a cap worn under another M16. undercard noun (Boxing) a contest placed second on the billing M20. undercart noun (colloq.) = undercarriage 2 M20. underˈcarve verb trans. cut away from below or behind E20. underˈcharacterize verb trans. depict or play with insufficient characterization or subtlety M20. underchosen adjective designating members of a sociometric group who are chosen less than the average number of times M20. underˈclad adjective (arch.) insufficiently clothed E17. underclass noun a subordinate social class; spec. a class of people excluded by poverty and unemployment from any opportunity offered by society: E20. underclassman noun (US) a sophomore, a freshman L19. underclay noun a bed of clay under a stratum, now spec. under a coal seam M17. under-clerk noun an assistant or subordinate clerk LME. undercliff noun a terrace or lower cliff formed by a landslip E19. undercling noun & verb (Mountaineering) (a) noun a handhold which faces down the rock face; (b) verb intrans. climb using such handholds: L20. undercloak noun (Building) the lower of two layers of material used to form a watertight covering L19. underˈclub verb refl. & intrans. (Golf) select for (oneself) a club which will not, in the normal course of events, strike the ball the required distance E20. undercolour noun & verb (a) noun a colour under another; (b) verb trans. colour lightly or less strongly (lit. & fig.) (chiefly as undercoloured ppl adjective): E17. underconˈsumption noun consumption exceeded by production or supply L19. underconˈsumptionist noun & adjective (a) noun an advocate of an economic theory of underconsumption; (b) adjective of or pertaining to underconsumption or underconsumptionists: M20. underˈcook verb trans. cook too little or for too short a time M19. under-cook noun a subordinate cook L16. underˈcool verb (a) verb trans. & intrans. supercool (freq. as undercooled ppl adjective, undercooling verbal noun); (b) verb trans. cool insufficiently: L19. undercount noun an incomplete enumeration; spec. the amount by which the number enumerated in a census falls short of the actual number in the group: M20. underˈcount verb trans. make an undercount of (chiefly as undercounting verbal noun) M20. undercovering noun a covering under another, an undercoat L15. undercovert noun (a) a covert of undergrowth; (b) any of the small close feathers on the underside of a bird's wing or tail: E19. ^†undercraft noun (a) hidden or secret craft or cunning; (b) a sly underhand trick: LME–M18. underˈcreep verb (obsolete exc. dial.) (a) verb intrans. creep in; (b) verb trans. creep under (a thing); fig. subvert secretly; outdo by cunning: LME. ^†undercrest verb trans. support as on a crest: only in E17. undercrust noun a crust or layer beneath another E18. undercup noun the lower section or underside of a bra cup M20. underˈdamp verb trans. damp (a physical system) incompletely, so as to allow only a few oscillations after a single disturbance: M20. underdamper noun a damper placed below a hammer in an upright piano L19. underdeck noun the lower deck of a ship E19. under-devil noun (rare) a subordinate devil M17. underdifferentiˈation noun (Linguistics) incomplete differentiation of phonemic elements, esp. in loanwords from a language in which certain phonemic distinctions do not correspond to those in the receiving language M20. underdip adjective (Mining) lying below the level of the bottom of the engine-pit M19. underdiˈspersed adjective (Ecology) exhibiting underdispersion M20. underdiˈspersion noun (Ecology) a greater evenness in the distribution of individuals than would be expected on purely statistical grounds M20. underˈdoctored adjective insufficiently supplied with doctors; short of doctors M20. underˈdot verb trans. mark with a dot or dots beneath (chiefly as underdotted ppl adjective) L19. underdrain noun an underground drain E19. underˈdrain verb trans. drain by means of underground trenches (freq. as underdraining verbal noun) E19. underdrainage noun underground drainage E19. underdrift noun an undercurrent (lit. & fig.) M19. underdrive noun a speed-reducing gear in a motor vehicle which may be used in addition to the ordinary gears to provide an additional set of gear ratios E20. underearth noun (a) the earth or soil lying under the surface soil; Mining the layer of clay etc. under a coal seam; (b) the regions below the earth: E17. underearth adjective (arch.) subterranean, underground L16. underedge noun the lower edge of something, spec. the inside edge or bottom of a cricket bat L17. underˈeducate verb trans. educate to an insufficient degree or for an insufficient length of time (chiefly as undereducated ppl adjective) M19. undereduˈcation noun education to an insufficient degree or for an insufficient length of time L20. underˈemphasis noun an insufficient degree of emphasis E20. underˈemphasize verb trans. emphasize insufficiently M20. underemˈploy verb trans. provide insufficient employment for (chiefly as underemployed ppl adjective) E20. underface noun (poet.) the lower part of the face M19. under-falconer noun (chiefly hist.) a subordinate falconer M17. underfall noun a foothill M19. under-farmer noun a subordinate farmer, a tenant farmer E17. underfeature noun a minor feature in a landscape; a slight elevation: L19. underfelt noun felt for an underlay, esp. beneath a carpet L19. ^†underfiend noun a fiend from the regions beneath the earth: only in E17. under-flame noun (arch., rare) a lesser or lower flame M17. underfloor adjective occurring or situated below floor level, operating below the surface of the floor, (freq. in underfloor heating) L19. underˈfloor verb trans. provide with a floor, form a floor to L18. underframe noun (a) the substructure of a railway carriage or motor vehicle; (b) the framework supporting a chair seat or tabletop: M19. underframing noun an underframe M19. underfug noun (school slang) an undervest; underpants: E20. underfunction noun & verb (Medicine) (a) noun = hypofunction noun; (b) verb intrans. exhibit underfunction; have a diminished capacity for acting and responding: M20. underˈfund verb trans. provide insufficient funding for (chiefly as underfunded ppl adjective) L20. underˈfunding noun insufficient funding M20. underfur noun an inner layer of shorter fur or down underlying an animal's outer fur L19. under-gardener noun a subordinate gardener L17. undergarment noun a garment worn under others, an article of underclothing M16. undergear noun (a) rare underclothing; (b) the chassis of a caravan: L19. underˈgird verb trans. (a)^†gather up (a garment) from below with a belt etc.; (b) make secure underneath, fig. strengthen, support, (orig. with allus. to Acts 27:17): LME. under-god noun a subordinate or minor god L16. undergrass noun (rare) a grass beneath a tree etc.; grass forming an underlayer: M19. undergrip noun (a) Gymnastics a hold in which the hands pass beneath the horizontal bar, with the palms facing the gymnast; (b) Mountaineering = underhold (b): E20. under-grove noun (literary) a lower or lesser grove M18. undergrowl noun a low growl, a growl in an undertone M19. underhair noun (a) the shorter hair in a tress or lock of hair; (b) Zoology = underfur: M20. underhammer noun a mechanism in a piano regulating the adjustment of a hopper M19. under-hangman noun (rare) a subordinate or lesser hangman E17. under-head noun (a) a subordinate or lesser official; (b)^†a person of inferior intelligence: L16. underheaven noun (poet., rare) the region below the heavens, the earth L16. underˈhew verb trans. (rare) (a)^†undercut, undermine; (b) US fell (timber) so that it contains less than the proper number of cubic feet: E16. underˈhive verb trans. (long rare or obsolete) place (bees) in too small a hive M17. underhold noun (a) a hold in wrestling in which the arms are below those of one's opponent; (b) a hold in mountaineering in which the hand grasps a downturned edge or point from beneath with the palm upwards, used esp. to maintain balance (also called undergrip): L19. underˈhole verb trans. & intrans. (rare) (a)^†undermine; (b) Mining (US) undercut: LME. underˈhonest adjective (rare) less than honest, dishonest E17. underˈhorsed adjective having a horse or horses inadequate to one's needs or means M19. under-housemaid noun a subordinate housemaid L18. underinˈsurance noun insurance of goods, property, etc., at less than the real value L19. underinˈsure verb trans. & intrans. insure (goods, property, etc.) at less than the real value L19. underinˈvest verb trans. & intrans. fail to invest (money, resources, etc.) to a sufficient level L20. underinˈvestment noun the underinvesting of money, resources, etc. M20. underjaw noun (now rare) the lower jaw, the mandible L17. underjawed adjective having an underhung lower jaw L18. underkeel noun (US, now rare or obsolete) a notch on the underside of an animal's ear as a mark of ownership L17. ^†underkeep verb trans. (rare, Spenser) keep under or in subjection: only in L16. under-keeper noun (a) an assistant keeper of a forest, park, etc.; a subordinate or assistant gamekeeper; (b) (now rare) a subordinate custodian or warder: E16. under-king noun (obsolete exc. hist.) a king subordinate to other rulers having the title of king OE. under-kingdom noun (obsolete exc. hist.) the realm of an under-king; a subordinate kingdom: L16. under-labourer noun a subordinate or assistant labourer M17. underland noun (chiefly literary) a land lying under or below another L19. underlap noun (a) rare the fact or state of underlapping something; (b) in warp knitting, the lateral movements of the guide bar made on the side of the needle remote from the hook; (c) a thing which underlaps another; esp. a piece of material extending beneath another fold or pleat: L19. underˈlap verb trans. lie or be situated so as to extend beneath and be covered by part of (a thing) M19. underlead noun (Bridge) the lead of a low card in a suit of which a higher card is held by the player M20. underˈlead verb trans. (Bridge) lead with a card of lower value than (another card of the suit held) M20. underleaf noun (a) a variety of cider apple; (b) the underside of a leaf; a lower leaf: E18. underlease noun a sublease E18. underˈlease verb trans. sublease (property) E19. underleather noun a piece of leather forming the lower part of something; esp. the leather sole of a shoe: ME. underlessee noun a person holding property under a sublease M18. underˈlet verb trans. (a) let at less than the true value; (b) sublet: L17. underlever noun & adjective (operated by) a lever behind the trigger guard on a rifle L19. underlid noun a lower lid; spec. the lower eyelid E17. underlife noun a life beneath the surface or on a lower level (lit. & fig.) M19. underlift noun upward movement from below M19. underlight noun (rare) (a) light from below; (b) insufficient light: E17. underˈlimbed adjective (esp. of a horse) having legs too slender in proportion to the body L17. underlinen noun underclothing, esp. made of linen M19. underlip noun (a) the lower lip; (b) Music an indentation in the foot of an organ pipe: M17. underlit adjective having insufficient light, dim M20. underload noun an occurrence or state of not being loaded to capacity M20. underˈloaded adjective not loaded or burdened to capacity; spec. in Physical Geography (of a stream), carrying less than the maximum amount of sediment and eroding down into the bed: L19. underlook noun a covert look or glance E19. underˈlook verb trans. (a) look at or inspect from beneath, look up at; (b) fail to see or observe by looking too low: LME. under-looker noun a subordinate overseer, esp. in a specified industry L19. under-lord noun a lord subordinate to other lords or rulers; a person in authority below another: E20. under-lordship noun (rare) the position or authority of an under-lord M20. underlout noun (long obsolete exc. dial.) an underling ME. undermanager noun a manager subordinate to another manager M18. under-marshal noun a subordinate or deputy marshal L17. undermass noun (Geology) an older, deformed body of rock overlain by younger, undeformed strata M20. underˈmasted ppl adjective (of a ship) provided with too low or too light a mast or masts L16. under-master noun (a) a subordinate instructor; spec. in a school, a master subordinate to a headmaster; (b) rare a subordinate director or supervisor: LME. undermeaning noun an underlying meaning M19. underˈmeasure verb trans. (rare) measure or calculate insufficiently or below the correct amount L17. underˈmodulate verb trans. & intrans. (Electronics) subject to, cause, or suffer undermodulation M20. undermoduˈlation noun (Electronics) insufficient amplitude modulation that fails to make full use of the available capacity of a transmitter or medium or results in too weak a signal M20. undernote noun a subdued note; an undertone, a suggestion: E19. underˈnourished adjective insufficiently nourished, esp. over a sustained period; in a state of semi-starvation: E20. underˈnourishment noun the state or condition of being undernourished E20. underoccuˈpation noun the state or condition of underoccupying a house etc. M20. underˈoccupy verb trans. (a) occupy (a house etc.) without using the available accommodation to full capacity; (b) provide insufficient occupation for: M20. under-officer noun a sub-officer LME. underˈofficered adjective insufficiently staffed or provided with officers M19. under-ˈofficered adjective staffed by or provided with under-officers M19. underpaint noun a layer of paint subsequently overlaid by another coat or finish, an underpainting M20. underpainting noun (the application of) a layer of paint subsequently overlaid by another coat or finish; a painting underlying a finished work: M19. underpan noun a protective metal covering fitted beneath the engine, clutch, and transmission of a motor vehicle E20. underpants noun pl. (in attrib. use usu. underpant) an undergarment covering the lower part of the body and part of the legs, esp. as worn by men and boys; short knickers, briefs: M20. underpart noun (a) a lower part or portion; spec. a part of the underside of an animal's body (usu. in pl.); (b) a minor or secondary role or part, esp. in a play; a person playing such a part; (c) a subdivision: M17. underˈparted adjective (rare) (of an actor) having too easy a part to play L19. underˈpeep verb (rare) (a) verb trans. peep under (a thing); (b) verb intrans. peep from under a thing: E17. underˈpeopled adjective having too few people, underpopulated L17. underpetticoat noun (chiefly hist.) a petticoat, worn esp. to show beneath a dress E17. underpitch adjective (Architecture) designating a groin or system of groining in which two cylindrical vaults of differing vertical heights intersect L19. underˈpitched adjective (a)^†(of a roof) having too low a pitch; not sufficiently steep; (b) Cricket (of a ball) not pitched far enough in bowling, short: L17. underplate verb trans. (Geology) underlie; spec. form a layer on the underside of (an existing stratum); deposit (rock etc.) as such a layer: L20. underplot noun (a) a subordinate plot in a play etc., a subplot; (b) arch. an underhand scheme or trick: M17. underˈpole verb trans. (rare) (a) provide (hops or a hop ground) with too short a pole or poles; (b) Metallurgy fail to pole (copper) adequately in refining, so that insufficient oxide is removed: E18. underˈpopulated adjective having an insufficient or very small population L20. underpopuˈlation noun the state of being underpopulated E20. underˈpraise verb trans. praise insufficiently L17. underˈprint verb trans. (a)^†print or stamp from below or on the underside; (b) print (an engraving or photograph) with insufficient depth of tone: L16. underˈprivilege noun the state of being underprivileged; lack of the normal standard of living or rights in a society: M20. underˈprivileged adjective & noun (a) adjective possessing or enjoying too few privileges; spec. lacking the normal standard of living or rights in a society; (b) noun (collect. pl.) the class of underprivileged people: L19. underˈprize verb trans. prize too little; undervalue: L16. underproˈduce verb trans. & intrans. produce less of (a commodity) than is usual or required M20. underproˈduction noun production of less of a commodity than is usual or required M19. underproducˈtivity noun inadequate productivity L20. underproˈportioned adjective not adequately proportioned L17. underˈqualified adjective insufficiently qualified, esp. for a particular job etc. E17. underˈquote verb trans. (a) quote a lower price than (a person); (b) quote a lower price than others for (goods etc.): L19. underˈread verb (a) verb trans. read (a measurement etc.) as lower than that actually registered; (b) verb intrans. (of a gauge, dial, etc.) show a reading lower than the true one; (c) verb trans. (of the reading public) read (an author, a book, etc.) with less than normal frequency: M20. underreamer noun a drilling bit on an oil rig used to drill a hole below the casing, of sufficient size for the casing to be lowered further E20. underˈreckon verb trans. (now rare) underestimate E17. underreˈcord verb trans. (a) make too few recordings of (a work or performer) (usu. in pass.); (b) record (sound) using too low a signal, so that playback is distorted; (c) record (data, information, etc.) insufficiently or inadequately: M20. underreˈhearsal noun insufficient rehearsal of a play, piece of music, etc., for performance E20. underreˈhearsed adjective (of a play, piece of music, performer, etc.) insufficiently rehearsed for performance M20. underreˈport verb trans. fail to report (news, data, etc.) fully (freq. as underreported ppl adjective) M20. underˈrepresent verb trans. provide with inadequate or insufficient representation (freq. as underrepresented ppl adjective) L19. underreˈsource verb trans. provide insufficient resources for (chiefly as underresourced ppl adjective) L20. underˈride verb trans. (a) rare form the basis on which (something) occurs; (b) Geology (of a mass of rock, water, etc.) move underneath (another mass): M20. underˈring verb trans. & intrans. (of a till operator) record too low a price for (a purchase) on a cash register, esp. intentionally so as to keep the excess money; record (a price) incorrectly in this way: L20. underˈripe adjective (of fruit etc.) insufficiently ripe E18. underˈroast verb trans. roast insufficiently L16. underrobe noun (arch.) a robe worn underneath another garment E18. underroof noun (now only poet.) a tester for a bed; a canopy: E17. ^†under-rower noun each of the apostles, regarded as being subordinate rowers in the vessel of which Christ is the pilot (usu. in pl.) M17–L18. underˈruff verb & noun (Bridge) (a) verb intrans. undertrump; (b) noun the action of undertrumping, an instance of this: M20. underˈsaturated adjective not saturated, falling short of being saturated; Petrography (of a rock or magma) in which there is insufficient free silica or other (specified) oxide to saturate all the bases present; Mineralogy (of a mineral) unable to form in the presence of free silica: M19. undersatuˈration noun the property of being undersaturated E20. under-school noun (hist.) a lower or junior school E17. ^†underscriber noun a subscriber to a document L17–L18. under-servant noun a subordinate servant M16. underˈserve verb trans. (a)^†be subservient to; (b) serve insufficiently; make inadequate provision for: E17. under-service noun (now rare or obsolete) service of an inferior kind; service as an under-servant: L16. undersettle noun (obsolete exc. hist.) a person who occupies (part of) a house owned by another; a subtenant: ME. underˈsexed adjective having a lesser degree of sexual desire than the average M20. under-sexton noun (now rare) a subordinate sexton LME. undersheet noun a sheet (to be) placed beneath another L19. undershepherd noun a subordinate shepherd M17. undersheriff noun a sheriff's deputy LME. undershirt noun an undergarment worn beneath a shirt; (chiefly N. Amer.) a vest: M17. underˈshore verb trans. prop up with a shore or shores; support or strengthen (lit. & fig.): LME. undershrub noun a small or low-growing shrub; spec. in Botany, a subshrub: L16. undersketching noun (Art) preliminary sketching left beneath (and visible through) the finished surface of a painting or drawing M20. underskin noun (rare) an inner skin or layer M17. under-skinker noun (a)^†a subordinate skinker or tapster; (b) Nautical (now rare or obsolete) an assistant to the purser's steward: L16. underskirt noun a skirt worn under another; a petticoat: M19. undersky noun (chiefly poet.) the region of air just beneath the sky; a low layer of cloud: M19. undersleeve noun a sleeve, esp. one of light material, worn below another M16. underˈslept adjective having had insufficient sleep; suffering from or characterized by lack of sleep: M20. underslung adjective (a) (of a vehicle chassis) hanging lower than the axles; (b) gen. that is suspended underneath something or supported from above: E20. undersoil noun subsoil E18. undersong noun (chiefly poet.) (a) a subordinate or subdued song or strain, esp. one serving as an accompaniment or refrain to another; (b) fig. an underlying meaning; an undertone: L16. undersort noun (obsolete exc. dial.) the common people M17. undersound noun (rare) a sound which is heard beneath another sound M19. underspin noun a backward spin on a ball causing it to stop quickly or bounce backwards after contact with a surface E20. underˈspread verb trans. (rare) spread below or underneath E17. understair(s) noun & adjective (a space) under a staircase E17. under-steward noun (now rare or obsolete) a deputy steward LME. underˈstimulate verb trans. subject to understimulation (chiefly as understimulated ppl adjective.) L20. understimuˈlation noun an insufficiency of either intellectual or sensory stimulation M20. understock noun = rootstock (b) s.v. root noun¹ M20. underˈstock verb trans. stock (a farm etc.) insufficiently (chiefly as understocked ppl adjective) L17. ^†understocking noun a stocking worn underneath another (usu. in pl.) E17–M18. understorey noun (Ecology) the (layer of) vegetation growing beneath the main canopy of a forest M20. understratum noun an underlying stratum or layer; a substratum: M18. understream noun a stream flowing beneath another; an undercurrent: M19. underˈstrike verb trans. (a)^†rare let down (the sails of a ship); (b) strike (from) below: E17. undersucking adjective (rare) (a) sucking from below; (b) sucking down: E17. undersurface noun the lower or under surface M18. underswell noun (chiefly fig.) a swell below the surface; an undercurrent: M19. underˈtax verb trans. tax insufficiently (chiefly as undertaxed ppl adjective) E18. under-teacher noun (now rare) a deputy or subordinate teacher L16. underthrust noun (Geology) an instance of underthrusting; a fault at which this has taken place: L19. underˈthrust verb trans. (Geology) (of a mass of rock) be forced underneath (another mass) L19. undertide noun an underlying tide or flow, an undercurrent, (chiefly fig.) M19. underˈtie verb trans. (rare) (a) tie (something) beneath; tie beneath (something); (b) Angling tie (the wings of a fly) so as to cover the point of the hook: M16. underˈtip verb trans. give an inadequate or insufficient gratuity to L20. under-treasurer noun a deputy treasurer; spec. (hist.) the officer immediately subordinate to the Lord High Treasurer of England: LME. underˈtrial noun in the Indian subcontinent, a person held in custody awaiting trial M20. undertrick noun (Bridge) a trick by which the declarer falls short of his or her contract E20. underˈtrump verb trans. & intrans. (Cards) play a lower trump than (another player) M19. undertunic noun a tunic worn beneath other clothing E19. underturf adjective (now rare or obsolete) (of earth or soil) situated or found below the turf L17. undervaluˈation noun the action or an act of undervaluing E17. undervalue noun (a)^†rare insufficiency in worth; (b) value or estimate below the worth of a thing: E17. underˈvalue verb trans. (a)^†rate as inferior in value to; (b) underestimate the value or worth of; (c) appreciate insufficiently; (d) reduce or diminish in value or worth; devalue: L16. underˈvaluer noun a person who undervalues something: M17. under-vassal noun (obsolete exc. hist.) a subordinate vassal L16. undervest noun an undergarment worn on the upper part of the body; a vest: E19. under-viewer noun (Mining) an under-looker L19. undervoice noun (rare) an undertone; an underlying voice (lit. & fig.): E19. undervoltage noun & adjective (Electricity) (a) noun a voltage less than that required to operate a device efficiently; (b) adjective designating a shunt release which opens or closes a circuit when the voltage drops below a pre-determined value: M20. undervote noun (US) a ballot paper or vote not counted because of unclear marking by the voter L20. underwaistcoat noun a waistcoat worn beneath a coat or jacket M18. under-warden noun a deputy or subordinate warden LME. underwave noun (chiefly poet.) an underlying wave M19. underwear noun underclothes L19. underˈwind verb trans. wind (a thing) insufficiently; Biochemistry wind (a helical molecule, esp. DNA) less tightly than normal (freq. as underwinding verbal noun, underwound ppl adjective) L20. underwire noun (a) a wire or other support stitched into the underside of each cup of a bra to uplift or shape the breast (freq. attrib.); the material used for this; (b) a bra with such support: L20. underwired adjective (of a bra) having an underwire M20. underwit noun (long rare) (a)^†a poor or inferior kind of wit; (b) a stupid or foolish person, an imbecile: M17. underˈwitted adjective (long rare) stupid, foolish; imbecile: L17. underwood noun (a) small trees, shrubs, etc., growing beneath higher timber trees; (b) a quantity, area, or particular kind of this undergrowth: ME. underwool noun (a) rare wool used to make underwear; woollen underclothes; (b) a layer of wool lying beneath the outer layer on an animal: E20. under-worker noun an assistant or subordinate worker E18. under-workman noun (now rare or obsolete) an assistant or subordinate workman E17. ☞ under under- Prefix Under (in any sense): insufficient, insufficiently, below what is correct; subordinate to; beneath or behind. Etymology From Middle English under-, from Old English under-, from Proto-Germanic under, from Proto-Indo-European ndhero- (“lower”), akin to Old English under (“under, beneath”), Old High German untar (“under”), Latin infra (“below, beneath”). Usage notes In many common cases, this prefix is attached directly to a word. When forming new words, however, it is typically hyphenated until the word becomes common. Derived terms ► English words prefixed with under- 前缀：under- ① 表示“在…下” underground 地下的（under+ground地） underwrite 在…下面写（under+write写） underline 划线于…下（under+line线，在字底下划线，引申为强调） undersea 在海底（under+sea海） undermine 破坏，损坏（under+mine挖→挖墙角） underling 下属（under+ling小人物→下属） underclothing 内衣裤（under+clothing衣服） underwear 内衣（under+wear穿衣服） ② 表示“不足，不够” underestimate 估计不足（under+estimate估计） underplay 对…轻描淡写（under+play玩→没玩够→说得不够的） underpopulated 人口稀少的（under+populated有人住的） underdeveloped 不发达的（under+developed发展→发展不够） undersized 不够大的（under+sized大的→不够大的） ③ 表示“副手” underagent 副代理人（under+agent代理人） underofficer 下级官员（under+officer官员）前缀：under- 1、下 underground 地下的 underworld 下层社会 underfoot 在脚下 underwrite 写于...之下 undersea 在海底 underlay 置于...之下 underline 划线于...之下 underside 下侧，下面 2、内（用于衣服） underclothing 内衣裤 underthings 女子内衣裤 undershirt 贴身内衣 underskirt 衬裙 undervest 贴身内衣 underpants 内裤，衬裤 underwear （总称）内衣 undershorts 短衬裤 3、不足、少 underpay 付资不足 underproduction 生产不足 underestimate 估计不足 underdress 穿衣太少 undermanned 人员不足的 underfed 喂得太少的 undersized 不够大的 underwork 少做工作 underdeveloped 不发达的 underpopulated 人口稀少的 4、副、次 undersecretary 次长、副部长 underagent 副代理人前缀：under- 【词根含义】：在下,不足【同源单词】：misunderstand, misunderstanding, underestimate, undergo, undergraduate
随便看	inefficacious inefficacy inefficient inelastic inelegance inelegant ineligible ineluctable inept ineptitude inequable inequality inequi- inequitable inequity ineradicable inerrable inerrancy inerrant inert inertia inertial inertness -ines inescapable