Adjacent Words

Nether definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

NETHER, a. [This word is of the comparative degree; the positive occurs only in composition, as in beneath. It is used only in implied comparison, as in the nether part, the nether millstone; but we never say, one part is nether than another. It is not much used.]
1. Lower; lying or being beneath or in the lower part; opposed to upper; as the nether millstone.
Distorted all my nether shape thus grew transformd.
2. In a lower place.
Twixt upper, nether and surrounding fires.
3. Belonging to the regions below.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: lower; "gnawed his nether lip"
2: dwelling beneath the surface of the earth; "nether regions" [syn: chthonian, chthonic, nether]
3: located below or beneath something else; "nether garments"; "the under parts of a machine" [syn: nether, under]

Merriam Webster's

adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old English nithera, from nither down; akin to Old High German nidar down, Sanskrit ni Date: before 12th century 1. situated down or below ; lower <the nether side> 2. situated or believed to be situated beneath the earth's surface <the nether regions>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. archaic = LOWER(1). Phrases and idioms: nether regions (or world) hell; the underworld. Derivatives: nethermost adj. Etymology: OE nithera etc. f. Gmc

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Nether Neth"er, a. [OE. nethere, neithere, AS. ni?era, fr. the adv. ni?er downward; akin to neo?an below, beneath, D. neder down, G. nieder, Sw. nedre below, nether, a. & adv., and also to Skr. ni down. [root]201. Cf. Beneath.] Situated down or below; lying beneath, or in the lower part; having a lower position; belonging to the region below; lower; under; -- opposed to upper. 'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding fires. --Milton. This darksome nether world her light Doth dim with horror and deformity. --Spenser. All my nether shape thus grew transformed. --Milton.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Nether means the lower part of a thing or place. (OLD-FASHIONED) He was escorted back to the nether regions of Main Street. ADJ: ADJ n

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

a. Lower.