Beneath
(Be*neath") prep. [OE. benethe, bineoðen, AS. beneoðan, benyðan; pref. be- + neoðan, nyðan,
downward, beneath, akin to E. nether. See Nether.]
1. Lower in place, with something directly over or on; under; underneath; hence, at the foot of. "Beneath
the mount." Ex. xxxii. 19.
Beneath a rude and nameless stone he lies.
Pope.
2. Under, in relation to something that is superior, or that oppresses or burdens.
Our country sinks beneath the yoke.
Shak.
3. Lower in rank, dignity, or excellence than; as, brutes are beneath man; man is beneath angels in the
scale of beings. Hence: Unworthy of; unbecoming.
He will do nothing that is beneath his high station.
Atterbury.
Beneath
(Be*neath") adv.
1. In a lower place; underneath.
The earth you take from beneath will be barren.
Mortimer.
2. Below, as opposed to heaven, or to any superior region or position; as, in earth beneath.
Benedicite
(||Ben`e*dic"i*te) n. [L., (imperative pl.,) bless ye, praise ye.] A canticle (the Latin version
of which begins with this word) which may be used in the order for morning prayer in the Church of
England. It is taken from an apocryphal addition to the third chapter of Daniel.
Benedicite
(||Ben`e*dic"i*te), interj. [See Benedicite, n.] An exclamation corresponding to Bless you
!.
Benedict
(Ben"e*dict Ben"e*dick) n. [From Benedick, one of the characters in Shakespeare's play of
"Much Ado about Nothing."] A married man, or a man newly married.
Benedict
(Ben"e*dict), a. [L. benedictus, p. p. of benedicere to bless. See Benison, and cf. Bennet.]
Having mild and salubrious qualities. [Obs.] Bacon.
Benedictine
(Ben`e*dic"tine) a. Pertaining to the monks of St. Benedict, or St. Benet.
Benedictine
(Ben`e*dic"tine), n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a famous order of monks, established by St. Benedict
of Nursia in the sixth century. This order was introduced into the United States in 1846.
The Benedictines wear black clothing, and are sometimes called Black Monks. The name Black Frrs
which belongs to the Dominicans, is also sometimes applied to the Benedictines.
Benediction
(Ben`e*dic"tion) n. [L. benedictio: cf. F. bénédiction. See Benison.]
1. The act of blessing.
2. A blessing; an expression of blessing, prayer, or kind wishes in favor of any person or thing; a solemn
or affectionate invocation of happiness.
So saying, he arose; whom Adam thus
Followed with benediction.
Milton.
Homeward serenely she walked with God's benediction upon her.
Longfellow.
