The words “and under” are two commonly used prepositions in the English language, often used together to indicate a range of values or quantities. Despite their frequency of use, many people may not be familiar with the precise definition and meaning of these words, or their origins and associations.
Definitions
The preposition “and” is used to connect two or more items, while “under” is used to indicate a position below or beneath something else. Together, the phrase “and under” is often used to indicate a range of values or quantities that fall within a certain range. For example, a store might advertise a sale on items priced at $10 and under, meaning that all items priced at $10 or less are included in the sale.
Origin
The word “and” has its origins in Old English, where it was used as a conjunction to connect words and phrases. “Under” also has Old English roots, and originally meant “beneath” or “below”. Over time, the two words came to be used together in the common phrase “and under”.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “and under” is a preposition used to indicate a range of values or quantities that fall within a certain range. Merriam-Webster defines it similarly, as a phrase used to indicate that something falls within a certain range of values or prices.
Associations
The phrase “and under” is often associated with sales and discounts, as in the example given earlier. It can also be used to indicate a range of sizes or measurements, such as clothing that comes in sizes small, medium, large, and under.
Synonyms
Synonyms for “and under” include phrases such as “up to”, “no more than”, and “less than or equal to”.
Antonyms
Antonyms for “and under” might include phrases such as “over”, “more than”, or “greater than”.
The same root words
The words “and” and “under” both have Old English roots, and are related to other words in the English language. “And” is related to the word “end”, while “under” is related to “wonder” and “wander”.
Example Sentences
Here are a few example sentences that use the phrase “and under”:
- The restaurant offers a lunch special for $10 and under.
- The store has a selection of dresses in sizes small, medium, and under.
- The museum admission fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.
- The book is recommended for readers aged 8 and under.