in or to a lower position than (something); below (something)
beneath the stairs
directly under (something), esp so as to be close or touching
beneath his shirt
not suitable to (something or somebody); unworthy of (somebody or something)
He thinks it's beneath him to use public transport
She is beneath contempt
under the control, pressure, or influence of (somebody)
She has six people working beneath her
[Old English beneothan, from be- + neothan below]