Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BE-NEATH', prep. [Sax. beneath, beneothan, benythan; of be and neothan, below, under. See Nether.]

1. Under; lower in place, with something directly over or on, as to place a cushion beneath one often with the sense of pressure or oppression, as to sink beneath a burden, in a literal sense.
2. Under, in a figurative sense; bearing heavy impositions, as taxes, or oppressive government. Our country sinks beneath the yoke. – Shak.
3. Lower in rank, dignity or excellence; as, brutes are beneath man; man is beneath angels, in the scale of beings.
4. Unworthy of; unbecoming; not equal to; as, he will do nothing beneath his station or character.