Etymology From Middle English bilooghe, equivalent to be- + low. Compare also earlier Middle English alogh, alow, aloȝ, alowe (“below”), benethen (“beneath”), Dutch omlaag (“downwards”).
1
Lower in spatial position than.
One morning I had been driven to the precarious refuge afforded by the steps of the inn, after rejecting offers from the Celebrity to join him in a variety of amusements. But even here I was not free from interruption, for he was seated on a horse-block below me, playing with a fox terrier.1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
The treasure is buried two meters below the surface.
1 more example
The marmalade is on the shelf below the bread.
2
Lower than in value, price, rank, concentration, etc.
one degree below kings1705, J[oseph] Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
Surprisingly, this analysis revealed that acute exposure to solvent vapors at concentrations below those associated with long-term effects appears to increase the risk of a fatal automobile accident. Furthermore, this increase in risk is comparable to the risk of death from leukemia after long-term exposure to benzene, another solvent, which has the well-known property of causing this type of cancer.2013 July-August, Philip J. Bushnell, “Solvents, Ethanol, Car Crashes & Tolerance”, in American Scientist:
2 more examples
The temperature is below zero.
Liverpool are below Manchester City in the Premier League.
3
Downstream of.
The River Thames is tidal below Teddington Lock.
4
South of.
Sudan is below Egypt.
5
Unsuitable to the rank or dignity of; beneath.
They beheld, with a just loathing and disdain, […] how below all history the persons and their actions were.1670, John Milton, “(please specify the page)”, in The History of Britain, that Part Especially now Call’d England. […], London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for James Allestry, […] , →OCLC:
who thinks no fact below his regard1827, Henry Hallam, The Constitutional History of England from the Accession of Henry VII. to the Death of George II. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], →OCLC:
1 more example
Such petty behavior is below me.
6
Downstage of.
Stage directions
Below the sofa is a low, round coffee table.1952, Frederick Knott, Dial "M" for Murder, 1954 Dramatists Play Service acting edition, act 1, scene 1
Etymology From Middle English bilooghe, equivalent to be- + low. Compare also earlier Middle English alogh, alow, aloȝ, alowe (“below”), benethen (“beneath”), Dutch omlaag (“downwards”).
1
In or to a lower place.
The town is situated on a hillside, with a river running below.
He was pulled below by a sea monster.
1 more example
But then I had the [massive] flintlock by me for protection. […]The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window at the old mare feeding in the meadow below by the brook, and a 'bead' could be drawn upon Molly, the dairymaid, kissing the fogger behind the hedge,[…].1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC:
2
On or to a lower storey.
She lives below, on the ground floor.
3
Nautical, Transport On or to a lower deck, especially as relative to the main deck.
The captain went below to inspect the engine.
the landlubbers lying down below
4
Later in the same text.
This point is explained below.
By their execution hereof, the Parties incur a legal obligation to pass consideration under this Loan Contract as is set forth below.