underwrite
Use Underwrite in a sentence
dərˈraɪt, ˈʌn verb (used with object)
1.
to write under or at the foot of, especially under other written matter.
2.
to sign one's name, as to a document.
3.
to show agreement with or to support by or as if by signing one's name to, as a statement or decision.
4.
to bind oneself to contribute a sum of money to (an undertaking): Wealthy music lovers underwrote the experimental concerts.
5.
to guarantee the sale of (a security issue to be offered to the public for subscription).
6.
Insurance.
a.
to write one's name at the end of (a policy), thereby becoming liable in case of certain losses specified in the policy.
b.
to insure.
c.
to assume liability to the extent of (a specified sum) by way of insurance.
d.
to select or rate (risks) for insurance.
00:10
Underwrite
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English, translation of Latin subscrībere to write underneath, sign, subscribe
1400–50; late Middle English, translation of Latin subscrībere to write underneath, sign, subscribe
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To underwrite
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World English Dictionary
underwrite (ˈʊndəˌraɪt, ˌʌndəˈraɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb , -writes, -writing, -wrote, -written | |
| 1. | finance to undertake to purchase at an agreed price any unsold portion of (a public issue of shares, etc) |
| 2. | to accept financial responsibility for (a commercial project or enterprise) |
| 3. | insurance |
| a. to sign and issue (an insurance policy) thus accepting liability if specified losses occur | |
| b. to insure (a property or risk) | |
| c. to accept liability up to (a specified amount) in an insurance policy | |
| 4. | to write (words, a signature, etc) beneath (other written matter); subscribe |
| 5. | to support or concur with (a decision, statement, etc) by or as if by signature |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
underwrite
c.1430, loan-translation of L. subscribere (see subscribe). Used literally at first; modern sense of "to accept the risk of insurance" (1622) is from notion of signing a marine insurance policy. Meaning "to support by a guarantee of money" is recorded from 1890.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
One of the paradoxes of speculation in securities is that the loans that underwrite it are among the safest of all investments.
Someone at the university was willing to underwrite the work to solve a problem.
It cannot be expected to underwrite other countries' deficits indefinitely.
They may only use it to set premiums, not to underwrite.
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