underpinning
- a system of supports beneath a wall or the like.
- Often underpinnings. a foundation or basis: to uncover the emotional underpinnings of an illness.
- underpinnings, Informal.
- underwear, especially women's underwear.
- the legs.
Origin of underpinning
Related Words for underpinnings
support, base, ground, foundation, groundwork, substructure, basis, reinforcementExamples from the Web for underpinnings
Contemporary Examples of underpinnings
The changes are not happening yet on the surface, but in the important place, in the underpinnings of society.
But a reader will never learn about the underpinnings of these friendships.
Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington’s Memoir Offers Few RevelationsRobin Givhan
November 20, 2012
All of these underpinnings of growth and reputation are too important to be left to federal governments.
‘Technik’ and the City: How Urban Centers Like New York and Tokyo Are Becoming Info-StatesAyesha and Parag Khanna
June 20, 2012
The Freudian underpinnings that permeated Suddenly Last Summer are also present here.
His performance style and guitar playing provided the underpinnings for the whole Punk Movement and then some.
Historical Examples of underpinnings
You will have cut the underpinnings from beneath the American dollar.
Damned If You Don'tGordon Randall Garrett
Clank, the presses begin again, and all afternoon I iron gentlemen's underpinnings.
Working With the Working WomanCornelia Stratton Parker
The gate of the nameless mausoleum had not been opened for many years, and the wind had heaped the dirt against the underpinnings.
The Enemies of WomenVicente Blasco Ibez
That ship you talked of is awfully plated up topside, but all her underpinnings are pretty weak.
A Fleet in BeingRudyard Kipling
underpinnings
- any supporting structure or system
underpinning
- a structure of masonry, concrete, etc, placed beneath a wall to provide support