Un`der*spore" (?), v. t. To raise with a spar, or piece of wood, used
as a lever. [Obs.]
Give me a staff that I may underspore.
Chaucer.
Un"der*stair` (?), a. Of or pertaining to the kitchen, or the servants'
quarters; hence, subordinate; menial. [Obs.]
Un"der*stairs` (?), n. The basement or cellar.
<! p. 1571 !>
Un`der*stand" (n`dr*stnd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Understood (?), and
Archaic Understanded; p. pr. & vb. n. Understanding.] [OE.
understanden, AS. understandan, literally, to stand under; cf. AS.
forstandan to understand, G. verstehen. The development of sense is not
clear. See Under, and Stand.] 1. To have just and adequate ideas of; to
apprehended the meaning or intention of; to have knowledge of; to
comprehend; to know; as, to understand a problem in Euclid; to
understand a proposition or a declaration; the court understands the
advocate or his argument; to understand the sacred oracles; to
understand a nod or a wink.
Speaketh [i. e., speak thou] so plain at this time, I you pray, That we
may understande what ye say.
Chaucer.