beneath

be|neath [ bı`niθ ] function word ***

Beneath can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun):

the ground beneath your feet

as an adverb (without a following noun):

People waved from the bridge as the boat passed beneath.

1. ) MAINLY LITERARY directly under something or at a lower level:

We took shelter beneath a huge oak tree.

They slept outside beneath the stars.

His face was hidden beneath a large brimmed hat.

a ) under the surface of the ground or water:

These pieces of pottery had been buried beneath the earth for thousands of years.

the waters of the Timor Sea and the coral reefs that lie beneath

b ) covered by something:

His frail body lay beneath the blankets.

from beneath: She pulled a dagger from beneath her cloak.

2. ) => NOTE FORMAL used for saying that someone's appearance and behavior do not show their real character or feelings:

Beneath his quiet unassuming manner there lies considerable strength.

She seemed quite calm on the surface, but a great deal of anger lay beneath.

beneath someone

if a particular action or activity is beneath you, you think that you are better than people who do this:

Burke regarded it as beneath him to do business with such people.