below: [14] Below is a lexicalization of the phrase by low, replacing an earlier on low, the opposite of on high. It was perhaps modelled on beneath. => low
early 14c., biloogh, from be- "by, about" + logh, lou, lowe "low" (see low (adj.)). Apparently a variant of earlier a-lowe (influenced by other adverbs in be-; see before), the parallel form to an-high (now on high). Beneath was the usual word; below was very rare in Middle English and gained currency only in 16c. It is frequent in Shakespeare. As a preposition from 1570s. According to Fowler, below is the opposite of above and concerns difference of level and suggests comparison of independent things. Under is the opposite of over and is concerned with superposition and subjection and suggests some interrelation.
双语例句
1. Last year, economic growth tailed off to below four percent.
去年，经济增长率下降到4%以下。
来自柯林斯例句
2. There were three moderate climbs to just below the 450 feet contour.
刚好在450英尺的等高线之下有3个缓坡。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Do you think it's a bit below the belt what they're doing?
你觉得他们的做法是不是有点儿不太光明正大？
来自柯林斯例句
4. Down below them was the sea of upturned faces.
他们下面是无数张仰望的脸。
来自柯林斯例句
5. From the slope below, the wild goats bleated faintly.
