Under

A preposition of varied military application, in combination with other words. Thus troops are said to be under arms , when a embled in a state of military array, and having the nece ary weapons of offense and defense, as rifles, swords, etc. To be under command is being liable to be ordered on any particular duty. To be under cover is to be shielded or protected. To be under contribution is being liable to give, in money or kind, what may be authoritatively called for. Countries are sometimes put under contribution for the support of an army. To be under fire or be cool is not being disconcerted by the apprehension of death in battle. To be under sentence is the liability to punishment, according to sentence pa ed; as, under the sentence of a general court-martial; under sentence of death.