nether

American  

[neth-er] / ˈnɛð ər /

adjective

1. lying or believed to lie beneath the earth's surface; infernal.

   the nether regions.

2. lower or under.

   his nether lip.

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nether British  

/ ˈnɛðə /

adjective

1. placed or situated below, beneath, or underground

   nether regions

   a nether lip

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Other Word Forms

• netherward adjective

Etymology

Origin of nether

before 900; Middle English nethere, Old English neothera, nithera, derivative of nither down (cognate with German nieder ), literally, further down, equivalent to ni- down + -ther comparative suffix

Example Sentences

It turns out that as a kind of bacteria turns from existing peacefully in our mouths to causing colon cancer in our nether regions, it produces dimethyl sulfide.

From Salon

It deepens a sense of illusion: His figures are of the painting but not entirely of the painting — inhabiting a nether material state.

From Los Angeles Times

From what I have gleaned from snippets of the book as reported plus interviews — perhaps not only were his nether regions affected by frostbite on his North Pole expedition but possibly his brain as well?

From Los Angeles Times

This time, though, he knows that camera is on, and is behaving in ways many will find even more distasteful: eating the raw nether parts of camels, cows and sheep, among other things.

From Seattle Times

In going after the widest audience possible, “Bros” may have fallen into a marketplace nether world — too straight for gay audiences, and too gay for straight ones, some analysts posited.

From New York Times