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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Underneth, prep. Also: undir-, undyr-, wnder-, wndir-, wndyr-, onder- and -neth(e, -neyth(e, -neath. [ME and e.m.E. vnder-neyþe (Cursor M.), undernethe (Gower), vndirnethe (a1470), vnderneath (1560), OE underneoðan.]

1. Below, beneath. = Under prep. 1.(a) c1420 Wynt. v 5427.
Lawch … wndyrneth [C. vndyrneythe, W. vnderneth] that thryd, He fand a hwrde off fyne gold hyde c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 162.
And vnderneth the quhele sawe I there Ane vgly pit 1460 Hay Alex. 3618.
The duke him persit vnder-neth the Pape 1513 Doug. i vi 11.
Vnderneth the holkit hyngand rochis hie 1567 Sat. P. iii 219.
Vnder neth this hauthorne sall I wryte 1688 Robertson Cullen Ch. Ann. 69.
[Reserving] the right of the lair or buriall underneath the said pews, to any who hath true right thereunto(b) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2236.
Onderneth the tempyll flure Throuch ane passage they cam

b. With reference to shelter, protection, etc. = Under prep. 1 b. ?1438 Alex. i 3185.
Enbushit vnderneth his sheild … He draue agane Emynedoun

c. Underneth the sky (hevin), on earth, in existence. = Under prep. 1 d. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 110/51.
Throw Scotland, Ingland [etc.] … Fleys on weyng thi fame … And our all cuntreis undirnethe [STS wndirnethe] the sky 1560 Rolland Seven S. 339.
I sall him giue leirning … of all science vnderneth the heuin

2. Subject to the authority of or domination of. = Under prep. 4. 1375 Barb. v 475.
Schyr Amery … was wardane of the land Wnderneyth [C. vnder-neth] the Inglis king c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus Prol. 217.
Vnderneth Mars the God Armypotent, Quhat man is borne, [etc.]

3. Subject to specified conditions. = Under prep. 5. a1500 Henr. Orph. 381.
Pas thy way, bot vnderneth [Asl. wnderneth, Bann. vndirneth] this payne