underwrite
/ˈʌndəɹaɪt/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.55 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
3
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To subscribe (a document, policy etc.) with one's name.
Intransitive verb; Obsolete; Transitive verb
verb
Specifically, to assume financial responsibility for something, and guarantee it against failure.
Transitive verb
Example Sentences
- "Dr. Beeching's obvious intent is that if Scottish—and similarly unprofitable English and Welsh—railways are to be maintained, it must be done by an unconcealed subsidy; he is determined that the railways shall no longer be preoccupied with—and derided for—immense deficits which include the burden of social services the State must openly underwrite, if it wants them."
- "The broker who procures the insurance […]ought not, by underwriting the policy, to deprive the parties of his unbiased testimony."
- "Diſguiſe the holy ſtrength of their command: / And vnder write in an obſeruing kinde"
Etymology
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: underwriten, underwrītan