un·der·gird
(ŭn′dər-gûrd′)tr.v. un·der·gird·ed or un·der·girt (-gûrt′), un·der·gird·ing, un·der·girds
To support or strengthen from beneath.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
undergird
(ˌʌndəˈɡɜːd)vb, -girds, -girding, -girded or -girt
(General Engineering) (tr) to strengthen or reinforce by passing a rope, cable, or chain around the underside of (an object, load, etc)
[C16: from under- + gird1]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
un•der•gird
(ˌʌn dərˈgɜrd)v.t. -gird•ed -girt, -gird•ing.
1. to strengthen or secure, as by passing a rope or chain under and around.
2. to give fundamental support.
[1520–30]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
undergird
Past participle: undergirded/undergirt
Gerund: undergirding
| Imperative |
|---|
| undergird |
| undergird |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Verb | 1. |  undergird - lend moral support to |
| 2. | undergird - make secure underneath; "undergird the ship" beef up, fortify, strengthen - make strong or stronger; "This exercise will strengthen your upper body"; "strengthen the relations between the two countries" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.