underwrite
underwrite
UK[ˌʌndəˈraɪt]US[ˈʌndərˌraɪt]
v
to agree to pay for a cost, damage, or loss if it happens, especially by an insurance contract.
v
to agree to buy all the shares that are not sold by other investors in a company, or to support a financial activity by providing money if needed.
v
to support something and agree to be responsible for it.
Morpheme Breakdown
under
write
under
beneath, below, subordinate to.
write
to score, outline, or inscribe.
Etymology
the word 'underwrite' has a literal origin in the physical act of writing one's name beneath a document. it derives from old english elements, with 'under' meaning "beneath" and 'write' meaning "to inscribe." in the early practice of marine insurance in the 17th century, insurers would literally sign their names at the bottom of a policy, thereby agreeing to the terms and accepting liability for a specified portion of the risk. this concrete action evolved into the modern abstract financial and metaphorical meanings, where to underwrite is to assume responsibility, provide financial backing, or guarantee support from a position of foundational authority.
Analysis
Structure: under + write
under: old english; prefix meaning "beneath, below, subordinate to."
write: old english; verb root meaning "to score, outline, or inscribe."
Examples
the bank agreed to underwrite the company's bond issue.
no publisher would underwrite the costs of such a controversial book.
the government refused to underwrite the failing industry.