Legal Dictionary
Main Entry:
un·der·writePronunciation:
'&n-d&r-"rIt, "&n-d&r-'rItFunction:
transitive verbInflected Forms:
-wrote /-"rOt, -'rOt/;
-writ·ten /-"rit-&n, -'rit-&noun/;
-writ·ing 1 a : to assume liability for (a risk) as an insurer
underwrites individuals, not the group, in franchise health insurance> b : to issue or set the terms of (an insurance policy)
2 : to agree to purchase (all or part of a security issue) usually on a fixed date at a fixed price with the purpose or plan to resell by means of a public offering underwrote speculative new issues —UFITEC, South America v. Carter, 135 California Reporter 607 (1977)>
3 a : to put up funds for or guarantee financial support of b : to assess the risk of (as a loan)