different between underwrite vs undergird

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

English

Etymology

From under- +? gird.

Verb

undergird (third-person singular simple present undergirds, present participle undergirding, simple past and past participle undergirded or undergirt)

1. To strengthen, secure, or reinforce by passing a rope, cable, or chain around the underside of an object.
2. (figuratively) To give fundamental support; provide with a sound or secure basis; provide supportive evidence for.
3. To lend moral support to.
4. To secure below or underneath.

Synonyms

• shore up
• fortify
• succour

Antonyms

• undermine

Translations