▪ I. underwrite, v.1
(ˈʌndə-, older -ˈraɪt)
[under-1 4 a, after L. subscrībĕre subscribe v. Cf. OE. underwr{iacu}tan.
In Langl. P. Pl. A. xi. 255 vndirwriten is apparently an error for the variant vnwriten.]
1. a. trans. To write (words, figures, etc.) below something, esp. after other written matter.
| c 1430 Art Nombryng 3 The nombre to be addede is that þat sholde be addede therto, and shalle be vnderwriten. Ibid., It is convenient that the lesse nombre be vnderwrit, and the more addede. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 310 Euphorbium prepared in manner as shalbe vnder written, purgeth..slymie flegmes. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xiv. 614/2 The said Author, obseruing the scope of those lines,..doth vnderwrite and annex this Stanza. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals i. iii. 86 His business is to under-write answers to all Petitions. 1709 Tatler No. 74 ¶11 Each Subscriber should underwrite his Reason for the Place he allots his Candidate. 1753 Richardson Grandison VI. xlix. 298, I will entreat her to vnderwrite her mind on this subject. 1882 Act 45 & 46 Vict. c. 61 Sched. 1 The bill..should be annexed, or a copy of the bill and all that is written thereon should be underwritten. |
† b. To write, subscribe, sign (one's name) below, or at the end of, a document, etc. Obs.
| 1569 in Strype Ann. Ref. (1709) I. lv. 566 That we, whose names are by ourselves underwritten, do acknowledge [etc.]. a 1593 Marlowe Edw. II, v. ii, Our behoofe will beare the greater sway When as a kings name shall be vnder writ. 1616 B. Jonson Devil an Ass iii. iii, I haue enough on't! for an hundred pieces? Yes, for two hundred, vnder-write me, doe. Your man will take my bond? 1682 J. Scarlett Exchanges 61 The Acceptant, when he accepts, must under⁓write his Name. 1793 Gibbon Misc. Wks. (1814) II. 493 When the subscription is proposed, I shall underwrite my name for, at least, six copies. |
† c. absol. To become surety. Obs.
| c 1650 Higford Instit. (1658) 17 For the most part the borrowers of money..are engaged one for another... Those that stand engaged for you; you must underwrite for them also. |
† 2. a. To subscribe (a document) with one's name.
| 1557 Order of Hospitals C 7 b, Warrants..underwritten by the Thresorer..what shall be paid to any such Pencioner wekly. 1623 in Foster Eng. Factories Ind. (1908) II. 320 The agreement mad betwixt us was underwrytten and sealed. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. viii. i. §4 No importunity could prevail with him to underwrite this will. 1682 in Lond. Gaz. No. 1782/1 One part thereof Signed by such Servant, and also Under-written or Endorsed with the Name and Hand-writing of such Magistrate. 1713 Guard. No. 39, I shall not retract any advertisement till I see those verses, and I'll choose what to believe then, except they are under⁓written by his nurse. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) VI. 365 A letter..signed by his Lordship,..and underwritten by myself. |
| absol. 1608 in Birch Crt. & Times Jas. I (1848) I. 84 His brother, whom..he hath now sent for up to undertake and underwrite with him. |
b. spec. To subscribe (a policy of insurance) thereby accepting the risk of insurance. Also absol.
| 1622 Malynes Anc. Law-Merch. 102 If one be bound, and two or more do put their hand and seale, and vnder-write, and seale the said Bill as Principals. Ibid. 166 The custome..doth impose the losse vpon those Assurors which did first vnderwrite. 1703 Lond. Gaz. No. 3940/4 Whosoever..hath underwrittten any Policy of Insurance on the Ship Samuel. 1755 N. Magens Insurances I. 7 If this be declared when the Insurance is made, the Insurers..will never refuse to under⁓write. 1766 W. Gordon Gen. Counting-ho. 21 If you under⁓write a policy mentioning..the sum underwrote. 1809–11 Combe Syntax xxv. 417 The Policies remain'd secure, Waiting for arms of signature; For what brave spirit e'er would fight 'em When nobody would underwrite 'em. 1876 F. Martin Hist. Lloyd's 365 Both non-underwriting members and annual subscribers are..forbidden to underwrite any policy of insurance. |
c. absol. To carry on the business of insurance.
| 1784 Ld. Macartney in Burke's Corr. (1844) III. 27 The impossibility of men's fairly acquiring great wealth, in a short time, who neither lend, trade, play, nor under-write. |
3. a. To set one's name to, subscribe to (a decision, statement, etc.); to agree to or confirm by signature. Also fig., to support or reinforce (an idea, quality, etc.); to lend support to (a party, etc.).
| 1606 Shakes. Tr. & Cr. ii. iii. 137 Worthier then him selfe.., vnder write in an obseruing kinde His humorous predominance. 1633 G. Herbert Temple, Ch. Porch xxiv, Man is a shop of rules, a well-truss'd pack, Whose every parcell under-writes a law. 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. i. lxxvii. 161 All the Assembly had already underwritten the reformation, when Thales put them in mind [etc.]. 1678 Butler Hud. iii. iii. 148 All which they took in Black and White, And cudgel'd me to under-write. a 1853 Mrs. Opie in Brightwell Life (1854) 49, I could, with a safe conscience, underwrite all that he there relates. 1938 Sun (Baltimore) 5 Sept. 6/3 This sectional purpose in the bill was in effect underwritten by the new Adminstrator. 1962 Listener 15 Mar. 480/1 The fact that Hirst was at the Royal College of Art..at the time of that journalistically stimulated style known as ‘New Realism’, to some extent underwrites this basic quality of factualness in his work. 1965 Ibid. 10 June 851/2 We must not always find ourselves underwriting the regimes of yesterday while our opponents support those of tomorrow. 1978 Jrnl. R. Soc. Arts CXXVI. 439/1 Their sponsors (usually governments) underwrote the belief that an exhibition's ultimate social and economic benefits would outweigh its immediate costs. |
† b. intr. To subscribe or agree to something.
| 1643 Quarles Loyal C. 16 In case Papists should largely under-write to your Propositions,..would you not accept it? |
4. † a. To guarantee to subscribe or contribute (a certain sum of money, etc.). Obs.
| 1623 Heriot in Mem. App. iii. (1822) 72 All my stock and adventures in the East India Company,..wherein I did under⁓write one thousand pounds. 1642 Lanc. Tracts Civ. War (Chetham Soc.) 62 Such moneyes and plate as Mr. Thomas Case..shall underwrite for the defence of Lancashire. a 1692 H. Pollexfen Disc. Trade (1697) 99 The last Stock was under⁓writ by Vertue of a Charter granted Anno 1657. 1705 R. Beverley Virginia i. iv. (1722) 90 The Subscription-Money did not come in with the same readiness, with which it had been underwritten. |
| absol. 1680 R. L'Estrange Citt & Bumpkin (ed. 3) 3 Masters underwrit for their Children, and Servants, Women for their Husbands. |
b. spec. To agree to take up, in a new company or new issue (a certain number of shares if not applied for by the public).
| 1889 Lindley Company Law 761 A promoter of a company who had agreed to underwrite 10,000 shares. 1896 Times Law Rep. (1897) XIII. 570 The Globe Company shall under⁓write, or procure to be underwritten,..the first issue of 250,000 shares. |
c. To support by a guarantee of funds. Also transf., to guarantee by military or other power.
| 1890 Spectator 22 Nov., Many of the usual holders of great sums of money have of late been ‘underwriting’ great industrial enterprises. 1964 Ann. Reg. 1963 224 A free West Berlin could have its social system underwritten by the United Nations, and foreign troops could remain there ‘for a certain period’ under the U.N. flag. 1979 T. Benn Arguments for Socialism ii. 50 Big business..underwrote the cost of the campaign to keep Britain in the Common Market at the time of the 1975 referendum. |
† 5. a. To undertake or guarantee in writing to do something. Obs.
| 1621 in Foster Eng. Factories Ind. (1906) I. 346 The Ballochs..whoe underwrot to carry the last yeares caphila to Mando. 1642 Propos. conc. Rais. Horse, etc. 5 Whosoever..shall underwrite to furnish and maintain any number of Horse. 1644 Vicars God in Mount 163 Persons..who had..under-written to lend horse, and moneyes. |
† b. To guarantee or promise that. Obs.
| 1838 J. C. Calhoun Wks. (1874) III. 237 Pass the bill, and I underwrite that we shall never have again to complain of a surplus. |
Hence ˈunderˌwriting ppl. a.
| 1876 F. Martin Hist. Lloyd's 364 All underwriting members pay..an entrance fee of {pstlg}100. |
▪ II. ˌunderˈwrite, v.2 rare.
[under-1 10 a.]
1. trans. To describe in too low an aspect.
| 1723–4 Dk. Wharton True Briton No. 69 II. 589 Who has under-wrote his Character, and represented him in faint and unbecoming Colors. |
2. refl. To fall below (oneself) in writing.
| 1766 Monthly Rev. XXXIV. 407 An author capable of so strangely under-writing himself. |