underwrite
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un·der·write
(ŭn′dər-rīt′)v. un·der·wrote (-rōt′), un·der·writ·ten (-rĭt′n), un·der·writ·ing, un·der·writes
v.tr.
1.
a. To assume financial responsibility for; agree to pay the costs of: underwrite a theatrical production.
b. To supply with funding, especially as a sponsor: underwrite a public television show.
2.
a. To sign (an insurance policy) so as to assume liability in case of specified losses.
b. To insure.
c. To insure against losses totaling (a given amount).
3.
a. To guarantee the purchase of (a full issue of stocks or bonds).
b. To agree to buy the unsold part of (stock not yet sold publicly) at a fixed time and price.
4.
a. To write under or at the end of something.
b. To subscribe to, especially to sign or endorse (a document).
5. To support or agree to (a decision, for example).
v.intr.
To act as an underwriter, especially to issue an insurance policy.
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.
underwrite
(ˈʊndəˌraɪt; ˌʌndəˈraɪt)vb (tr) , -writes, -writing, -wrote or -written
1. (Banking & Finance) finance to undertake to purchase at an agreed price any unsold portion of (a public issue of shares, etc)
2. (Banking & Finance) to accept financial responsibility for (a commercial project or enterprise)
3. (Insurance) insurance
a. to sign and issue (an insurance policy) thus accepting liability if specified losses occur
b. to insure (a property or risk)
c. to accept liability up to (a specified amount) in an insurance policy
4. to write (words, a signature, etc) beneath (other written matter); subscribe
5. to support or concur with (a decision, statement, etc) by or as if by signature
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
un•der•write
(ˌʌn dərˈraɪt, ˈʌn dərˌraɪt)v. -wrote, -writ•ten, -writ•ing. v.t.
1. to contribute a sum of money to guarantee the success of (an undertaking).
2. to guarantee the sale of (a security to be offered for public subscription).
3. Insurance.
a. to write one's name at the end of (a policy), thereby becoming liable in case of specified losses.
b. to insure.
c. to assume liability to the extent of (a specified sum).
4. to write under other written matter.
5. to sign one's name to.
6. to show agreement with; support.
v.i. 7. to underwrite something.
8. to work as an underwriter.
[1400–50; late Middle English, translation of Latin subscrībere to write underneath, sign, subscribe]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
underwrite
Past participle: underwritten
Gerund: underwriting
Imperative |
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underwrite |
underwrite |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Verb | 1. | ![]() |
2. | ![]() reinsure - insure again by assuming all or a part of the liability of an insurance company already covering a risk warrant, guarantee - stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of; "The dealer warrants all the cars he sells"; "I warrant this information" indemnify - secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for; "This plan indemnifies workers against wages lost through illness" cover - to take an action to protect against future problems; "Count the cash in the drawer twice just to cover yourself" overcompensate, compensate, cover - make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities; "he is compensating for being a bad father" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
underwrite
verb finance, back, fund, guarantee, sponsor, insure, ratify, subsidize, bankroll (U.S. informal), provide security, provide capital for a special agency to underwrite small business loans
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
underwrite
[ˈʌndəraɪt] (underwrote (pt) (underwritten (pp))) VTCollins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
underwrite
[ˌʌndərˈraɪt] [underwrote] [ˌʌndərˈrəʊt] (pt) [underwritten] [ˌʌndərˈrɪtən] (pp) vt (FINANCE) → garantir
(INSURANCE) → souscrire
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
underwrite
[ˈʌndəˌraɪt] (underwrote (pt)) [ˈʌndəˌrəʊt] (underwritten (pp)) [ˈʌndəˌrɪtn] vt (Fin) → sottoscrivere (Insurance) → assicurareCollins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995