English English Dictionary

To be at the basis of; to form the foundation of; to support; as, a doctrine underlying a theory.

To be subject or amenable to.

To lie below or under.

See Underlay, n., 1.

To mark a line below, as words; to underscore.

To influence secretly.

An inferior person or agent; a subordinate; hence, a mean, sorry fellow.

The lower lip.

A lock of wool hanging under the belly of a sheep.

A person who inspects a mine daily; -- called also underviewer.

Lying under or beneath; hence, fundamental; as, the underlying strata of a locality; underlying principles.

Insufficiently furnished with men; short-handed.

Having masts smaller than the usual dimension; -- said of vessels.

A master subordinate to the principal master; an assistant master.

One who is not a match for another.

The inferior, or after, part of the day; the afternoon.

Hence, something occurring or done in the afternoon; esp., an afternoon meal; supper; also, an afternoon nap; a siesta.

To excavate the earth beneath, or the part of, especially for the purpose of causing to fall or be overthrown; to form a mine under; to sap; as, to undermine a wall.

Fig.: To remove the foundation or support of by clandestine means; to ruin in an underhand way; as, to undermine reputation; to undermine the constitution of the state.

One who undermines.