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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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]
WordNet (r) 2.0
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