undergird
UK: ˌʌndəˈɡɜːd | US: ˌʌndərˈɡɜːrd
vt. to strengthen or support from beneath; to provide a foundation for
vt. (figuratively) to reinforce or uphold an idea, system, or structure
undergird = under<below> + gird<encircle, bind>
- under (from Old English under, meaning "beneath, below")
- gird (from Old English gyrdan, meaning "to encircle or bind," related to girdle)
Etymology Origin:
The word undergird combines under (spatial or metaphorical "below") with gird (to bind or secure). Originally nautical, it described physically reinforcing a ship’s hull with straps or beams beneath. By the 16th century, it expanded metaphorically to mean supporting abstract systems (e.g., arguments, institutions). The logic mirrors construction: just as a structure needs hidden reinforcement, ideas require foundational backing.
The steel beams undergird the entire bridge, ensuring its stability.
Historical evidence undergirds her thesis about medieval trade routes.
To undergird their claims, the researchers presented extensive data.
The constitution was designed to undergird democratic principles.
Without proper funding, the project lacks the resources to undergird its ambitious goals.