Adjacent Words

Underpin definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

UNDERPIN', v.t.
1. To lay stones under the sills of a building, on which it is to rest.
2. To support by some solid foundation; or to place something underneath for support.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

v
1: support from beneath
2: support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm; "The stories and claims were born out by the evidence" [syn: corroborate, underpin, bear out, support]

Merriam Webster's

transitive verb Date: 1522 1. support, substantiate <underpin a thesis with evidence> 2. to form part of, strengthen, or replace the foundation of <underpin a structure> <underpin a sagging building>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

v.tr. (-pinned, -pinning) 1 support from below with masonry etc. 2 support, strengthen.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Underpin Un`der*pin", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Underpinned; p. pr. & vb. n. Underpinning.] 1. To lay stones, masonry, etc., under, as the sills of a building, on which it is to rest. 2. To support by some solid foundation; to place something underneath for support.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(underpins, underpinning, underpinned) If one thing underpins another, it helps the other thing to continue or succeed by supporting and strengthening it. ...mystical themes that underpin all religions... VERB: V n • underpinning (underpinnings) ...the economic underpinning of ancient Mexican society. ...the violent woman-hating underpinnings of films like 'Cape Fear'. N-VAR