v. [UNDER-1 4 a. Cb. MDu. ondertreden, MLG. undertreden, MDa. undertræde, MHG. under-, G. untertreten.] trans. To tread under foot; to subdue or subjugate.
1525. in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. III. II. 75. I doubte not but that he will assist … to vndre treade them that they shall not nowe lift vppe their hedds.
1558. Phaër, Æneid, I. A 4 b. Great warre in Italy haue he shall, ere he the people wyld May vndertread.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Mem. Mortalitie, II. lv. Wasps break the Web, Flies are held fast and hurt: The Guilty quit, the Guiltlesse under-trod.
1859. Whittier, Rock in El Ghor, iv. Unchanged the awful lithograph Of power and glory undertrod.
