What's the difference between before and under?

Before


Definition:

  • (prep.) In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house.
  • (prep.) Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior to the time when; -- sometimes with the additional idea of purpose; in order that.
  • (prep.) An advance of; farther onward, in place or time.
  • (prep.) Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or worth; rather than.
  • (prep.) In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing.
  • (prep.) Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of.
  • (prep.) Open for; free of access to; in the power of.
  • (adv.) On the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the front; -- opposed to in the rear.
  • (adv.) In advance.
  • (adv.) In time past; previously; already.
  • (adv.) Earlier; sooner than; until then.

Example Sentences:

Under


Definition:

  • (prep.) Below or lower, in place or position, with the idea of being covered; lower than; beneath; -- opposed to over; as, he stood under a tree; the carriage is under cover; a cellar extends under the whole house.
  • (prep.) Denoting relation to some thing or person that is superior, weighs upon, oppresses, bows down, governs, directs, influences powerfully, or the like, in a relation of subjection, subordination, obligation, liability, or the like; as, to travel under a heavy load; to live under extreme oppression; to have fortitude under the evils of life; to have patience under pain, or under misfortunes; to behave like a Christian under reproaches and injuries; under the pains and penalties of the law; the condition under which one enters upon an office; under the necessity of obeying the laws; under vows of chastity.
  • (prep.) Denoting relation to something that exceeds in rank or degree, in number, size, weight, age, or the like; in a relation of the less to the greater, of inferiority, or of falling short.
  • (prep.) Denoting relation to something that comprehends or includes, that represents or designates, that furnishes a cover, pretext, pretense, or the like; as, he betrayed him under the guise of friendship; Morpheus is represented under the figure of a boy asleep.
  • (prep.) Less specifically, denoting the relation of being subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like; as, a bill under discussion.
  • (adv.) In a lower, subject, or subordinate condition; in subjection; -- used chiefly in a few idiomatic phrases; as, to bring under, to reduce to subjection; to subdue; to keep under, to keep in subjection; to control; to go under, to be unsuccessful; to fail.
  • (a.) Lower in position, intensity, rank, or degree; subject; subordinate; -- generally in composition with a noun, and written with or without the hyphen; as, an undercurrent; undertone; underdose; under-garment; underofficer; undersheriff.

Example Sentences: