v. [UNDER-1 4 a + PIN v. 3.]
1. trans. To support or strengthen (a building or other structure) from beneath, spec. by laying a solid foundation below the ground-level, or by substituting stronger or more solid for weaker or softer materials.
1533. MS. Rawl. D. 776, fol. 131. Vnder pynnyng, the Grownde plattes of the said wharff.
1583–4. in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), III. 22. To Mr. Stokes … for stone, and vnderpynnyng the whalles of the schooles.
c. 1700. in Essex Rev. (1906), XV. 170. I underpinned the side of the dwelling house.
1776. G. Semple, Building in Water, 65. We underpinned that West End of it, where we found that there was nothing supporting the upper Work, but the Bond of the Stones.
1833. Loudon, Encycl. Archit., § 234. All the window and door frames to be properly bedded … and the sills underpinned.
1885. Willis & Clark, Cambridge, I. 24. A facing added to the decayed clunch by way of under-pinning it.
b. fig. To support, corroborate.
1522. More, De Quat. Noviss., Wks. 76/1. It is better to … thinke on some better thing the while, than to geue eare therto & vnder pinne the tale.
a. 1619. Fotherby, Atheom., Pref. p. vi. I am called to vnder-pinne those foure maine Corner-stones.
1646. Saltmarsh, Groanes for Liberty, 9. Was it unlawfull … to underpin Episcopacy with some Texts of Scripture?
1866. De Morgan, in Athenæum, 2 Sept., 312/3. If so, away goes free will for good and all; unless, indeed, we underpin our system with the hypothesis [etc.].
1884. American, VIII. 294. These powers … might underpin the first lien on the property.
2. To form a base or support to.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 148. Above the precipitous cliffs that underpinned the mountain was a broad plateau.
