underwater English · revision 15057

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1627}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˌʌn.dəˈwɔː.tə/, US /ˌʌn.dɚˈwɑː.t̬ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[under]] and [[water]], from the phrase under water, submerged, attested by the 1590s.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Placed or carried on beneath the surface of water: 1627 in the OED and Merriam-Webster, the 1620s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A noun underwater was water below the ground (1637) or water entering a ship from beneath (1645).^(OED 1989) Of ships, below the waterline, it is from 1882.^(OED 1989) Of mortgages on which more is owed than the property is worth, it is from 2008.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1590s – under water, submerged.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1627 – underwater.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1882 – below the waterline.^(OED 1989)

+ * 2008 – of mortgages.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Existing, happening or used below the surface of water: ''underwater exploration''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(nautical)'' Below the waterline of a vessel.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(finance)'' Of a mortgage or asset, worth less than is owed or was paid.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # Beneath the surface of the water.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[underground]]

+ * [[underseas]]

+ * [[under]]

+ * [[water]]

+ * [[undersea]]

+ * [[submarine]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}