[UNDER-1 4 a + LINE v.2 Cf. Du. onderlijnen.]
1. trans. To mark (words, etc.) with a line or lines drawn underneath; to underscore. (Cf. ITALICIZE v.)
1721. Strype, Eccl. Mem. (1822), II. xi. 579. There is also another memorial … with lines drawn under many of the words and sentences, and a note of Secretary Cecyl’s hand, that what was so underlined was to be put in cypher.
1771. Luckombe, Hist. Print., 361. A Proof sheet printed Black, with the words to be printed Red under lined.
1856. Dickens, Lett. (1880), I. 423. I find myself underlining words constantly.
1901. Athenæum, 24 July, 119/1. Titles of books are printed in italics, though not underlined in the MS.
b. fig. To emphasize, esp. in utterance.
1880. Times, 10 Nov., 9/1. A passage that was not intended by the speaker to refer to Ireland … was seized upon and underlined by an appreciative audience.
1887. Daily News, 15 Nov., 5/7. Madame Chaumont’s tendency to ‘underline’ everything … is certainly no less apparent now than it was in former years.
2. To announce (a play) by an underline.
1895. Funk’s Stand. Dict., s.v., Faust is underlined for Thursday.
1900. Westm. Gaz., 27 Oct., 1. Mr. Stephen Phillips’s historical play … is underlined for production.
Hence Underlined ppl. a.
1866. Meredith, Vittoria, xxvii. He wrote a few underlined words entreating Vittoria to grant an immediate interview.
1888. Honnor Morten, Sk. Hosp. Life, 35. An underlined note of warning.
