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Webster 1913 Edition


Nether

Neth′er

(nĕth′ẽr)
,
Adj.
[OE.
nethere
,
neithere
, AS.
niðera
, fr. the adv.
niðer
downward; akin to
neoðan
below, beneath, D.
neder
down, G.
nieder
, Sw.
nedre
below, nether, a. & adv., and also to Skr.
ni
down. √201. Cf.
Beneath
.]
Situated down or below; lying beneath, or in the lower part; having a lower position; belonging to the region below; lower; under; – opposed to
upper
.
’Twixt upper,
nether
, and surrounding fires.
Milton.
This darksome
nether
world her light
Doth dim with horror and deformity.
Spenser.
All my
nether
shape thus grew transformed.
Milton.

Webster 1828 Edition


Nether

NETHER

,
Adj.
[This word is of the comparative degree; the positive occurs only in composition, as in beneath. It is used only in implied comparison, as in the nether part, the nether millstone; but we never say, one part is nether than another. It is not much used.]
1.
Lower; lying or being beneath or in the lower part; opposed to upper; as the nether millstone.
Distorted all my nether shape thus grew transformd.
2.
In a lower place.
Twixt upper, nether and surrounding fires.
3.
Belonging to the regions below.