underwrite
English
/ˈʌndəɹaɪt/
verb
Definitions
- (transitive) To write below or under; subscribe.
- (transitive) To subscribe (a document, policy etc.) with one's name.
- (transitive) To sign; to put one's name to.
- (transitive) To agree to pay by signing one's name; subscribe.
- (transitive) Specifically, to assume financial responsibility for something, and guarantee it against failure.
- (intransitive) To act as an underwriter.
- (transitive) To support, lend support to, guarantee the basis of.
- (transitive) To submit to; put up with.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English underwriten inherited from Old English underwrītan (write at the foot of, subscribe, write under) prefix from English write (imprint, engrave, inscribe).
Origin
English
write
Gloss
imprint, engrave, inscribe
Timeline
Distribution of cognates by language
Geogrpahic distribution of cognates
Cognates and derived terms
- bewrite English
- cowrite English
- enwrite English
- forewrite English
- handwrite English
- inwrite English
- miswrite English
- outwrite English
- overwrite English
- prewrite English
- rewrite English
- screenwrite English
- skywrite English
- sleepwrite English
- subwrite English
- underwriter English
- unwrite English
- writability English
- writable English
- write English
- write-down English
- write-up English
- writeback English
- writee English
- writer English
- writest English
- writeth English
- writethrough English
- writing English
- writo English
- schreiben German
- unter German
- unterschreiben German
- onderschrijven Dutch, Flemish
- schrijven Dutch, Flemish
- underwrītan Old English
- underwriten Middle English
- writen Middle English
- underschrīben Middle High German
- raitim Tok Pisin