undergird

[ uhn-der-gurd ]
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verb (used with object),un·der·gird·ed or un·der·girt, un·der·gird·ing.
  1. to strengthen; secure, as by passing a rope or chain under and around: to undergird a top-heavy load.

  2. to give fundamental support; provide with a sound or secure basis: ethics undergirded by faith.

Origin of undergird

1
First recorded in 1520–30; under- + gird1

Words Nearby undergird

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British Dictionary definitions for undergird

undergird

/ (ˌʌndəˈɡɜːd) /


verb-girds, -girding, -girded or -girt
  1. (tr) to strengthen or reinforce by passing a rope, cable, or chain around the underside of (an object, load, etc)

Origin of undergird

1
C16: from under- + gird 1

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