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underpinning

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underpinning

noun underpinnings

  1. A support or foundation, especially as a structure of masonry that supports a wall. This house's underpinning is not up to standard.
  2. figuratively A basis for something. I would like to know more about the underpinning of this political theory.
  3. figuratively, humorous The lower body or legs. Thinks I to myself, “Sol, you're run off your course again. This is a rich man's summer ‘cottage’ and if you don't look out there's likely to be some nice, lively dog taking an interest in your underpinning.”

verb

  1. gerund, participle, present present participle and gerund of underpin

Translations

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verb a support or foundation of a structure

Françaissoubassement
DeutschUntermauerung

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MLA

"underpinning." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/underpinning. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

underpinning. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/underpinning

Chicago

"underpinning." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/underpinning.

BibTeX
@misc{underpinning_2026,
  title = {underpinning},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/underpinning},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}