Nearby Words

underwriting

[uhn-der-rahyt, uhn-der-rahyt] Origin

un·der·write

[uhn-der-rahyt, uhn-der-rahyt] verb, -wrote, -writ·ten, -writ·ing.
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).
EXPAND
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.
COLLAPSE
verb (used without object)
7.
to underwrite something.
8.
to carry on the business of an underwriter.

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Underwriting is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.

Origin:
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. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To underwriting
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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