Underpin

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Underpin \Un`der*pin"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Underpinned}; p.
     pr. & vb. n. {Underpinning}.]
     1. To lay stones, masonry, etc., under, as the sills of a
        building, on which it is to rest.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     2. To support by some solid foundation; to place something
        underneath for support.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  underpin
       v 1: support from beneath
       2: support with evidence or authority or make more certain or
          confirm; "The stories and claims were born out by the
          evidence" [syn: {corroborate}, {bear out}, {support}]
       [also: {underpinning}, {underpinned}]