below English · revision 2607

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1325|origins=ang lāh}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /bɪˈləʊ/, US /bɪˈloʊ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|bilooghe]], formed [[af|enm|bi-|looghe|t1=by, about|t2=low]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) that is, [[be-]] and [[low]].^(Hoad 1986)^(Klein 1966)^(COED 2004) It apparently began as a variant of the earlier a-lowe, the parallel form to an-high, now [[on high]], influenced by other adverbs in be-, such as [[before]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As an adverb, “in a lower position”: about 1325^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) or the early 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Below'' was very rare in Middle English, where [[beneath]] was the usual word, and gained currency only in the 16th century;^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) it is frequent in Shakespeare.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) As a preposition it is from 1575.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) “On earth, under heaven” is from 1574,^(OED 1989) and “in hell, under the earth” from 1610.^(OED 1989) “Downstairs” or “below decks” is from 1598,^(OED 1989) and in nautical use ''below'' means off duty as opposed to on deck.^(Etymonline) “Inferior in rank or dignity” is from about 1600.^(Etymonline) “Later in a text” is from 1694.^(OED 1989) Fowler distinguished ''below'', the opposite of ''above'' and concerned with difference of level, from ''under'', the opposite of ''over'', which suggests superposition and some interrelation.^(Etymonline) An obsolete verb ''below'', “to humble”, is from 1377.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1325 – adverb, in a lower place.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 16th century – gains currency.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1574 – on earth.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1575 – preposition.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1598 – downstairs, below decks.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1600 – inferior in rank.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1610 – in hell.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1694 – later in a text.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # In or to a lower place; [[beneath]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # On or to a lower floor or deck.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Later in a text: ''see below''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(literary)'' On earth, or in hell.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Preposition===

+ # Lower than; under.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Lower than on a scale: ''below zero''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Unworthy of: ''below his dignity''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[hereinbelow]]

+ * [[belowdecks]]

+ * [[belowground]]

+ * [[below stairs]]

+ * [[below the line]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[low]]

+ * [[beneath]]

+ * [[under]]

+ * [[above]]

+ * [[before]]

+ * [[belittle]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}