subterranean
UK/.sʌbtә'reinjәn/US
TOEFLGREC2
Definitions
adj.
Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface; underground.
地下的，地表以下的。
adj.
(figurative) Hidden or operating in secret.
（比喻）隐秘的，暗中进行的。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedsub- (under) + terr (earth, from terra) + -anean = 'under the earth,' i.e. underground. Literally it describes subterranean rivers, caves, and tunnels. Because what is underground is also out of sight, it took on a figurative sense of 'hidden, secret' — subterranean tensions that no one talks about openly.
Root terr still carries 7 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.subterranean tunnel地下隧道
- 2.subterranean river地下河流
- 3.subterranean chamber地下密室
- 4.subterranean passage地下通道
Example Sentences
- 1.
The cave led into a vast subterranean lake.
- 2.
Subterranean tensions within the team finally erupted.