Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Underpinning
Un′der-pinˊning
,Noun.
1.
The act of one who underpins; the act of supporting by stones, masonry, or the like.
2.
(Arch.)
(a)
That by which a building is underpinned; the material and construction used for support, introduced beneath a wall already constructed.
(b)
The foundation, esp. of a frame house.
[Local, U. S.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Underpinning
UNDERPIN'NING
,ppr.
UNDERPIN'NING
, n.1.
The act of laying stones under sills.2.
The stones on which a building immediately rests.Definition 2024
underpinning
underpinning
English
Verb
underpinning
- present participle of underpin
Noun
underpinning (plural underpinnings)
- A support or foundation, especially as a structure of masonry that supports a wall.
- This house's underpinning is not up to standard.
- (figuratively) A basis for something.
- I would like to know more about the underpinning of this political theory.
-
(figuratively) Legs, more generally.
- 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt's Patients:
- Thinks I to myself, “Sol, you're run off your course again. This is a rich man's summer ‘cottage’ and if you don't look out there's likely to be some nice, lively dog taking an interest in your underpinning.”
-
Translations
a support or foundation of a structure
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