underpin
[uhn-der-pin]
- to prop up or support from below; strengthen, as by reinforcing a foundation.
- to replace or strengthen the foundation of (a building or the like).
- to furnish a foundation for; corroborate: The author's conclusions are underpinned by references to experimental findings.
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Origin of underpin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for underpin
Contemporary Examples
It is also their pattern to ignore the political problems that underpin the bad military performances of our “good guys.”
Historical Examples
We underpin our houses with granite; what 30 of our habits and our lives?
There were laws upon laws, endeavours to underpin the framework of a decaying society.
There was a matter of underpinning for a start, but it costs money to underpin the west end of a cathedral.
The Burglars' ClubHenry A. Hering
I resumed: Further we must underpin the runners and work up the earth herring-wise.
The Mercy of AllahHilaire Belloc
Serious settlements had taken place, and rendered it necessary to underpin the walls.
Chapters in the History of the Insane in the British IslesDaniel Hack Tuke
underpin
- to support from beneath, esp by a prop, while avoiding damaging or weakening the superstructureto underpin a wall
- to give corroboration, strength, or support to
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for underpin
v.
1520s (figurative); 1530s (literal), from under + pin (v.). Related: Underpinned; underpinning.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper