different between insurance vs underwrite

English

Alternative forms

• insuraunce (obsolete)

Etymology

From the older form ensurance, see also assurance.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?n.????.?ns/, /?n.???.?ns/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?n.????.??ns/, /?n.????.??ns/
• (Southern American English) IPA^(key): /??n.???ns/
• Hyphenation: in?sur?ance

Noun

insurance (usually uncountable, plural insurances)

1. A means of indemnity against a future occurrence of an uncertain event.

   The car was totalled, but fortunately I had insurance.

2. The business of providing insurance.

   After five years in banking, I switched to insurance.

3. (figuratively) Any attempt to forestall an unfavorable event.

   The sky was clear, but I took my umbrella for insurance.

4. (blackjack) A bet made after the deal, which pays off if the dealer has blackjack.

   I only take insurance if the count is right.

5. (countable) An insurance policy

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• actuary
• annuity
• broker
• float
• underwriter
• workers’ compensation

Anagrams

• nuisancer, uncarines

English

Etymology

From Middle English underwriten, from Old English underwr?tan (“to write at the foot of, write under, subscribe”), equivalent to under- +? write. Compare Dutch onderschrijven (“to endorse”), German unterschreiben (“to sign; endorse”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??nd??a?t/, /?nd???a?t/

Verb

underwrite (third-person singular simple present underwrites, present participle underwriting, simple past underwrote, past participle underwritten)

1. (transitive) To write below or under; subscribe.
2. (transitive, intransitive, obsolete) To subscribe (a document, policy etc.) with one's name.
3. (transitive) To sign; to put one's name to.
4. (transitive) To agree to pay by signing one's name; subscribe.
5. (transitive) Specifically, to assume financial responsibility for something, and guarantee it against failure.
6. (intransitive, insurance) To act as an underwriter.
   • 1810, Samuel Marshall, Of marine insurance

     The broker who procures the insurance […] ought not, by underwriting the policy, to deprive the parties of his unbiased testimony.

7. (transitive) To support, lend support to, guarantee the basis of.
8. (obsolete, transitive) To submit to; put up with.

Derived terms

• underwriter
• underwriting

Translations