Also under-side, under side. [UNDER-1 5 b and UNDER a. 2 b. Cf. Du. onderzijde, Da. underside, G. unterseite.] The under or lower side or surface.

1

  α.  1680.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., x. 190. A Seat … having an Iron Pin fastned on either end the underside of it.

2

1704.  Phil. Trans., XXV. 1625. The back or underside of the Leaves.

3

1768–74.  Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 459. I cannot conceive that surface separated from the table without an underside distinguishable from the upper.

4

1802.  James, Milit. Dict., s.v. Gun-carriage, The underside of the gun.

5

1890.  Science-Gossip, XXVI. 215/1. The under-side of the wings was a blackish-brown.

6

  fig.  1866.  Geo. Eliot, Ess. (1884), 321. Comfort, which is the under-side or lining of all pleasure.

7

1876.  Fortn. Rev., Jan., 108. Fear is the underside or wrong side of zeal.

8

  β.  1738.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Subscapularis, Spreading itself under the whole convex, or under side of it.

9

1794.  W. Curtis, in Bot. Mag., VIII. 272. The blossoms have been of a sulphur colour, shaded … especially on the under side.

10

1835.  J. Duncan, Beetles, 169. The legs and under side of the abdomen are reddish yellow.

11

1884.  Bower & Scott, De Bary’s Phaner., 476. At a greater distance from the stem the under side usually has the advantage.

12