beneath

• Adverbe signifiant 'dans ou vers une position plus basse ; en dessous'. Peut aussi s'employer au sens figuré pour indiquer un rang, un statut ou un niveau de dignité inférieur.

An adverb meaning 'in or to a lower position; below.' It can also be used figuratively to indicate a lower rank, status, or level of dignity.

1. In or to a lower positionB1formal

   Located or moving to a place that is lower than something else.

   sous, en dessous

   • The valley lay beneath a blanket of mist.
   • He looked down at the ground beneath his feet.
   • The treasure was hidden beneath the old oak tree.

   Synonymesbelowlowerunderunderneath

   Antonymesaboveover

• Préposition formelle ou littéraire indiquant une position directement sous quelque chose, un rang ou un statut inférieur, une action indigne de quelqu’un, une dissimulation sous une couverture ou un emplacement sous la surface.

A formal or literary preposition indicating position directly below or under something, lower rank or status, unworthiness relative to dignity, concealment beneath a covering, or location below a surface or threshold.

1. Position directly below or under somethingB2formal

   Used to indicate that someone or something is located at a lower vertical position than another object, often implying direct contact or close proximity underneath.

   sous, en dessous

   • The cat slept beneath the table.
   • They found treasures buried beneath the sand.
   • She wore a shirt beneath her jacket.
   • The submarine dove beneath the waves.

2. Lower in rank, status, or importanceC1formalpolitical

   Used metaphorically to indicate that someone or something occupies a subordinate position in a hierarchy, social structure, or system of value.

   Inférieur à, au-dessous de

   • He served beneath a renowned commander.
   • In the old system, women were considered beneath men.
   • Such tasks are beneath the dignity of a senior officer.
   • She felt her efforts were beneath notice.

3. Unworthy of someone's character or dignityC1formal

   Used to express that an action, behavior, or situation is not suitable or appropriate for a person's perceived status, morals, or self-respect.

   indigne de

   • It is beneath him to lie about such matters.
   • She considered gossiping beneath her standards.
   • Arguing over money felt beneath their friendship.
   • He would never do something so beneath his principles.

4. Hidden, covered, or concealed by somethingB2formalart

   Indicates that something is not visible because it is under a layer, surface, or covering that obscures it from view.

   caché sous

   • Ancient ruins lie beneath the modern city.
   • Beneath her calm exterior, she was furious.
   • The truth was hidden beneath layers of deception.
   • Beneath the paint, the original artwork was preserved.

5. Below the surface or threshold of perceptionC1formal

   Used to refer to something that exists or occurs below a literal or figurative surface, level, or point of awareness.

   sous la surface ou le seuil de perception

   • Beneath the surface, tensions were rising.
   • The ship sank beneath the ocean.
   • Beneath all the noise, a pattern emerged.
   • He sensed something unsettling beneath her words.