underminev.

Brit.

/ˌʌndəˈmʌɪn/, U.S.

/ˌəndərˈmaɪn/

Forms: α. Middle English–1500s undermyne, Middle English– undermine, 1600s undermoine (also Middle English–1500s vnder-, Middle English vndir-, Middle English vndyr-). β. Middle English vndermynden, 1500s vndermyde, vndermynde, 1500s–1600s vnderminde, underminde, 1600s–1700s (1800s dialect) undermind.

Etymology: under- prefix¹ 2a(a) + mine v. Compare Dutch ondermijnen, older Danish undermine; also Middle Dutch ondermineren, Danish underminere, Swedish -era, German unterminiren. In 15th cent. texts undermyne or -mine is occasionally miswritten for undernim.

a. transitive. To dig or excavate beneath, to make a passage or mine under (a wall, etc.), esp. as a military operation; to sap.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > besiege or blockade [verb (transitive)] > undermine

undermyec1330

underminea1382

sap1652

society > occupation and work > industry > earth-moving, etc. > [verb (transitive)] > dig (hole, etc.) > dig under

underdelvec1000

underwroota1272

undermyec1330

minec1380

underminea1382

underdig1382

α.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Jer. li. 58 The wal of Babilon..with vndermynyng shal be vndermyned.

a1400 Coer de L. 4721 The Crystene the walles under~myne.

c1450 Contin. Brut 577 And after, [they] vndermynet þe walles and þe toures, and sette shores vndernethe.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. xlv Knowyng that their walles were vndermyned and shortely like to fal.

1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. ix. 22 It is a verye great Citie, placed..so that it cannot be undermined.

1616 J. Lane Contin. Squire's Tale vii. 397 To lead his men safe to the walled towne, which vnder~moine hee shoold.

1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. 271 Undermining their port Piræus, and more then sixe walls of theirs.

1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 68 When the foundation is..on a rock, it will be in vain to think of undermining it.

1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 40 We had no other Way to break it, but by undermining it, and then break it off in Pieces.

1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple II. ii. 33 We must undermine the gate, O'Brien; we must pull up the pavement until we can creep under.

1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) vi. 46 Buildings that were undermined and shaking, [were] propped by great beams of wood.

β. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 511/1 Vndermyndyn, idem quod vnderdelvyn.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid viii. xi. 38 Sum vnder~myndand the ground with a hoill.c1570 J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1830) 101 [They] under myndit the neddir sole of the yett of Dunbartane.a1644 Spottiswoode Misc. (1844) I. 146 In the late warrs..the churches [were] undermynded and fired.

b. absol. To make excavations or mines.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > lay siege [verb (intransitive)] > undermine

minec1330

undermine1382

society > occupation and work > industry > earth-moving, etc. > [verb (intransitive)] > dig or excavate

gravea1000

delvec1000

wrootc1325

minec1330

gruba1350

sinkc1358

undermine1382

diga1387

spit1393

to pick upc1400

holk1513

graff1532

pion1643

excavate1843

throw1843

crow1853

spade1869

1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xxii. 2 If a theef brekynge an hows, or were foundun vndurmynynge.

1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy ii. 6335 Þei..turnen vp so doun Boþe wal & tour..Þat no þing stood, so þei vnder-myne.

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 467 Necessarie it is..to undermine a great way by candle~light, & to make hollow vaults under the mountains.

1646 H. Peake Medit. upon Seige 60 It is an usuall practice to under-mine, and when they have brought the Mine unto the Works, to blow it up with powder.

1685 Mr. Travestin Acct. Proc. against Turks 34 This day we began to undermine on the side attackt by the Troops of Brunswick.

c. In figurative context.

ΚΠ

c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 3480 Ye wend..þat ye had hym engyned; But yee shul fele in every veyn þat ye be vndirmyned, And I-brouȝt at ground.

1559 J. Aylmer Harborowe sig. C2^v These..be..the pik-axes to vnder mynde the state.

a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. i. 118 Man setting downe before you, will vndermine you, and blow you vp.

1670 J. Dryden Tyrannick Love iii. i. 20 Yet fierceness suits not with her gentle kind; They brave assaults; but may be undermin'd.

1794 E. Burke Let. 30 Dec. in Corr. (1969) VIII. 104 As yet, the house is not fallen; but it is completely undermined.

1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic III. vi. i. 409 Religious fanaticism had undermined the bulwark almost as soon as reared.

1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 363 The fair superstructure falls because the old foundations are undermined.

a. Of water: To work under and wash away (ground, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > erosion or weathering > erode [verb (transitive)] > erosion by water

undermine1398

wash?1523

gall1577

nip1897

1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) xv. lxxxii Þe parties of ilondes beþ ywasted, & vndermyned wiþ betinge of watres.

1562 Bp. J. Pilkington Expos. Abdyas Pref. 5 A strong heady streame, undermining great hygh bankes.

1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 676 The riveret Alen..undermineth the ground and once or twice hideth himselfe.

1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry 5 Alder makes an extraordinary Fence against Rivers and Streams, and preserves the Banks from being undermined by the Water.

1778 J. Cook Jrnl. 27 Aug. (1967) III. i. 425 By undermining and washing away that which lies exposed to the surge of the sea.

1855 D. T. Ansted in Orr's Circle Sci.: Inorg. Nature 155 The stream..relieving the gloom of the naked rocks, and at the same time tending to undermine them.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xv. 101 The glacier..is incessantly undermined,..till at length the projecting mass..tumbles into the lake.

absolute.1858 G. MacDonald Phantastes xiii. 148 The springing waters were dammed back into his soul, where, finding no utterance, they..swelled, and undermined.

b. Of animals: To burrow under or in; to make insecure, to cause to fall, through burrowing; also, to form (a passage) by burrowing.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > dig or burrow > make insecure or cause to fall by

undermine1526

the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > dig or burrow > form passage by

undermine1526

the world > space > shape > unevenness > condition or fact of receding > hollowness > make hollow [verb (transitive)] > make full of cavities > burrow under or in (of animals)

undermine1526

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Oviii Catche these lytell foxes, whiche with dyggyng of their dennes vndermydeth our vynes.

1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 92 He hath his cabbage [= den] in the yearth with two contrary wayes vndermined to enter into it.

1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 40^v In a shorte space, there was a Towne in Spayne vndermined with Connyes.

1629 W. Davenant Trag. Albovine iii. i When she [sc. the mole] undermines the earth.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 133 Lizards..a dark Retreat Have found in Combs, and undermin'd the Seat.

a1704 T. Brown Bantering Declam. in Wks. (1707) I. i. 59 All Thessaly had in the twinkling of a Shoeing-horn been certainly undermin'd by Lobsters.

c. Pathology. To erode beneath the surface.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > wasting disease > affect with wasting disease [verb (transitive)]

wastec1230

forpinec1275

pinea1325

corrodec1400

rust1493

macerate1547

forwaste1563

tabefy1656

tabid1661

colliquate1666

undermine1879

1879 St. George's Hosp. Rep. 9 254 Hip-joint..surrounded with œdema and undermined by sinuses.

1898 Hutchinson's Arch. Surg. IX. 111 The chronic infective inflammations..which ulcerate to a slight extent whilst they undermine widely.

3. figurative. (Cf. 1c) To work secretly or stealthily against (a person); to overthrow or supplant by underhand means.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > treat cunningly [verb (transitive)] > overthrow by cunning

undermine1430

α.

1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) iv. Prol. 99 b Fortune could him vndermine That al hys wisedome stode in none auayle.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. xxvii. E He maye well be called Iacob, for he hath vndermined me now two tymes.

1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iv. xviii To beguile and vndermine an other man, al men know to be vnlawfull.

1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island ii. xviii. 21 Whose pleasing sweetnesse..Doth oft the Prince himself with witch'ries undermine.

1678 N. Wanley Wonders Little World v. i. §100. 468/1 Rodolphus..being undermined by his brother Matthias, was forced to surrender to him..Hungary and Bohemia.

1759 W. Robertson Hist. Scotl. iii, in Wks. (1851) I. 237 Some of his rivals he secretly undermined.

1775 J. Adair Hist. Amer. Indians 91 The religious advantages and arguments by which the French used to undermine us with the Indians.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 197 Those who had assailed and undermined him began to struggle for the fragments of his power.

1876 J. G. Holland Story of Sevenoaks (new ed.) xiv. 200 Are you to sit tamely down and be undermined?

β. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 767/1 Medyll nat with hym,..for surely he wyll undermynde the.1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. vi. sig. R5 He was nothing valorous, But with slie shiftes and wiles did vnderminde All noble Knights. 1613 T. Jackson Eternall Truth Script. ii. vii. §7 Yet are they easily to be underminded by Sathan.1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 103 If he be a Master workman, whom they will..suspect to have a design to underminde and supplant them.1869– in Eng. Dial. Dict. (Yks., Lanc., Linc.). absolute.1584 J. Lyly Sapho & Phao i. iii. 26 Where we suspect, we vndermine.1712 R. Blackmore Creation vii. 332 Th' ambitious Statesman labours dark Designs, Now open Force employs, now undermines.

†4. To underlie and spoil. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > damage > damage or injure [verb (transitive)]

mareOE

shendOE

hinderc1000

amarOE

awemc1275

noyc1300

touchc1300

bleche1340

blemisha1375

spill1377

misdoa1387

grieve1390

damagea1400

despoil?a1400

matea1400

snapea1400

mankc1400

overthrowa1425

tamec1430

undermine1430

blunder1440

depaira1460

adommage?1473

endamage1477

prejudicec1487

fulyie1488

martyra1500

dyscrase?1504

corrupt1526

mangle1534

danger1538

destroy1542

spoil1563

ruinate1564

ruin1567

wrake1570

injury1579

bane1587

massacre1589

ravish1594

wrong1595

rifle1604

tainta1616

mutilea1618

to do violence toa1625

flaw1665

stun1676

quail1682

maul1694

moil1698

damnify1712

margullie1721

maul1782

buga1790

mux1806

queer1818

batter1840

puckeroo1840

rim-rack1841

pretty1868

garbage1899

savage1899

to do in1905

strafe1915

mash1924

blow1943

nuke1967

mung1969

1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1544) i. x. 21 b Some fresh floures haue a full bitter rote And lothsom gal can suger eke vnder~mine.

5. To persuade or win over, to tamper with or pervert, by subtle means. Also absol.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > persuade or prevail upon > by subtle or underhand means

undermine1457

compass1563

cozen1599

wire-draw1622

subinduce1646

to get at ——1780

1457 J. Hardyng Chron. in Eng. Hist. Rev. Oct. (1912) 747 His language..so benygne was and trewe it vndyrmyned Thair hertes hole to loue hym at thair myght.

a1529 J. Skelton Why come ye nat to Courte (?1545) 434 So he dothe vndermynde, And such sleyghtes dothe fynde, That the kynges mynde By hym is subuerted.

1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 27 Ferardo..desired him to keepe silence, vntil he had vndermined hir by subtiltie.

1664 J. Dryden Rival Ladies iv. iii. 49 She undermin'd my Soul With tears.

1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 179 The Father..Ventures his filial Vertue, though untri'd, Against whate're may..Allure, or terrifie, or undermine .

†6.

a. To ascertain, or inquire, in a secret or underhand manner. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)] > in an underhand manner

undermine?c1550

?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 56 Cæsar undermining their counsels throughe his Captives.

?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 80 When as Agricola hadd..undermined the purpose of his adversaries.

1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. L2 ^v He hath been noted..very suspitiously to vndermine, whither any man knew such a fellow.

†b. To question (a person) guilefully. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > interrogation > question, interrogate [verb (transitive)] > indirectly or cautiously

feel1425

undermine1574

sound1575

undercrop1596

to draw out1778

1574 A. Gilby tr. Test. Twelue Patriarches f. 58^v He will talke guilfully with thee and vndermine thee to do thee a shrewd turne.

1599 R. Fitch in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (new ed.) II. i. 266 There was a Dutch Jesuite..sent vnto them, to vndermine and examine them.

a. To weaken, injure, destroy or ruin, surreptitiously or insidiously.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > do harm or injury to > gradually or secretly

undergoc1000

minec1422

undercreepa1440

cankera1450

undermine1565

cankerfret1585

sap1711

honeycomb1821

white-ant1905

submarine1917

sabotage1918

undercut1955

monkeywrench1986

α.

1569 (title) A Bull graunted by The Pope..to vndermyne..Allegeance to the Quene.

a1596 Sir Thomas More (1911) i. ii. 69 I pray ye,..Goe not aboute to vndermine my life.

1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper ii. 146 It is no fault..to under~mine fraud with fraud.

1699 Bp. G. Burnet Expos. Thirty-nine Articles xviii. 174 Which strikes at the Foundation, and undermines the Truth of all Revealed Religion.

1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. i. ii. 10 A dangerous sort of Men that wou'd undermine received Principles and Opinions.

1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. lix. 272 Who is he, that has made it the study..of his life, to undermine and alter the whole system of jurisprudence?

1850 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire I. ix. 438 The authority of the nobles as a class had been completely undermined.

1884 J. Ruskin Pleasures of Eng. 16 These controversies vexed and shook, but never undermined, the faith they strove to purify.

β. 1565 T. Stapleton tr. F. Staphylus Apologie 152 To vnderminde Christendom.1694 R. Burthogge Ess. Reason 110 The Ground of this underminded, and the nature of the Divine Omnipresence represented.1726 tr. J. Cavalier Mem. Wars Cevennes Ded. p. iv Their Civil and Religious Liberties, which after having been artfully underminded by several preceding Princes, were at last totally subverted.

b. To weaken or destroy (the health or constitution) by degrees; to sap.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > make weak

fellOE

wastec1230

faintc1386

endull1395

resolvea1398

afaintc1400

defeat?c1400

dissolvec1400

weakc1400

craze1476

feeblish1477

debilite1483

overfeeble1495

plucka1529

to bring low1530

debilitate1541

acraze1549

decaya1554

infirma1555

weaken1569

effeeble1571

enervate1572

enfeeble1576

slay1578

to pull downa1586

prosternate1593

shake1594

to lay along1598

unsinew1598

languefy1607

enerve1613

pulla1616

dispirit1647

imbecilitate1647

unstring1700

to run down1733

sap1755

reduce1767

prostrate1780

shatter1785

undermine1812

imbecile1829

disinvigorate1844

devitalize1849

wreck1850

atrophy1865

crumple1892

1812 G. Crabbe Tales ii. 38 Augmented pay procur'd him decent wealth, But years advancing undermin'd his health.

1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xxv. 319 Mercury may be given..in such a manner as gradually to undermine the constitution.

1860 J. M. Carnochan Operat. Surg. 61 The constitution became..undermined [by ostitis].

Derivatives

undermined adj.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > erosion or weathering > [adjective] > water or wave erosion > eroded by water

sea-worn1612

water-worn1776

gullied1794

undermined1844

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > [adjective] > alteration of tissue > decomposition or destruction

corrosivec1400

melting1605

undermined1844

attritional1849

saprogenic1876

saprogenous1876

1844 Peter Parley's Ann. 13 The undermined bank of some river.

1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 801 On examination of the undermined skin and granulations.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	undermine
释义	underminen. Brit. /ˈʌndəmʌɪn/, U.S. /ˈəndərˌmaɪn/ Etymology: under- prefix¹ 2a(d), 2b(c) Compare undermine v. †1. An underground excavation. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > [noun] > mine(s) minea1450 undermine1524 minework1583 minery1591 mining1598 berry1608 the world > the earth > land > landscape > low land > hole or pit > [noun] > excavation pot1431 undermine1524 grave1526 digginga1552 undermining1572 groin1587 underbeiting1670 dene-hole1768 1524 R. Copland tr. J. de Bourbon Syege Cyte of Rodes in Begynnynge Ordre Knyghtes Hospytallers sig. Dj^v They put fyre in the vndermynes wenynge to haue cast downe the walle. 1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 650 Under-mines or caves of very great widenesse. 1629 tr. S. Pelegromius Descr. S'hertogenbosh 36 We made an vnder~mine through the walls of the Towne. †2. A submerged mine. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > naval weapons and equipment > [noun] > mine undermine1682 American turtle1775 torpedo1776 submarine1846 mine1862 pole torpedo1877 ground-torpedo1878 spar torpedo1878 countermine1880 acoustic mine1923 magnetic mine1939 limpet1942 pressure mine1943 oyster1945 1682 in Roxburghe Ballads (1885) V. 519 But thou, buoy'd up with Providence Divine, Shall float above, and fear no undermine. 3. An undermining movement. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > [noun] > with hostile intention sap1748 undermine1898 1898 Daily News 12 May 8/4 The Bishop..said there was a very strong undermine of disloyalty to the Church. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022). underminev. Brit. /ˌʌndəˈmʌɪn/, U.S. /ˌəndərˈmaɪn/ Forms: α. Middle English–1500s undermyne, Middle English– undermine, 1600s undermoine (also Middle English–1500s vnder-, Middle English vndir-, Middle English vndyr-). β. Middle English vndermynden, 1500s vndermyde, vndermynde, 1500s–1600s vnderminde, underminde, 1600s–1700s (1800s dialect) undermind. Etymology: under- prefix¹ 2a(a) + mine v. Compare Dutch ondermijnen, older Danish undermine; also Middle Dutch ondermineren, Danish underminere, Swedish -era, German unterminiren. In 15th cent. texts undermyne or -mine is occasionally miswritten for undernim. 1. a. transitive. To dig or excavate beneath, to make a passage or mine under (a wall, etc.), esp. as a military operation; to sap. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > besiege or blockade [verb (transitive)] > undermine undermyec1330 underminea1382 sap1652 society > occupation and work > industry > earth-moving, etc. > [verb (transitive)] > dig (hole, etc.) > dig under underdelvec1000 underwroota1272 undermyec1330 minec1380 underminea1382 underdig1382 α. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Jer. li. 58 The wal of Babilon..with vndermynyng shal be vndermyned. a1400 Coer de L. 4721 The Crystene the walles under~myne. c1450 Contin. Brut 577 And after, [they] vndermynet þe walles and þe toures, and sette shores vndernethe. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. xlv Knowyng that their walles were vndermyned and shortely like to fal. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. ix. 22 It is a verye great Citie, placed..so that it cannot be undermined. 1616 J. Lane Contin. Squire's Tale vii. 397 To lead his men safe to the walled towne, which vnder~moine hee shoold. 1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. 271 Undermining their port Piræus, and more then sixe walls of theirs. 1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 68 When the foundation is..on a rock, it will be in vain to think of undermining it. 1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 40 We had no other Way to break it, but by undermining it, and then break it off in Pieces. 1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple II. ii. 33 We must undermine the gate, O'Brien; we must pull up the pavement until we can creep under. 1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) vi. 46 Buildings that were undermined and shaking, [were] propped by great beams of wood. β. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 511/1 Vndermyndyn, idem quod vnderdelvyn.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid viii. xi. 38 Sum vnder~myndand the ground with a hoill.c1570 J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1830) 101 [They] under myndit the neddir sole of the yett of Dunbartane.a1644 Spottiswoode Misc. (1844) I. 146 In the late warrs..the churches [were] undermynded and fired. b. absol. To make excavations or mines. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > lay siege [verb (intransitive)] > undermine minec1330 undermine1382 society > occupation and work > industry > earth-moving, etc. > [verb (intransitive)] > dig or excavate gravea1000 delvec1000 wrootc1325 minec1330 gruba1350 sinkc1358 undermine1382 diga1387 spit1393 to pick upc1400 holk1513 graff1532 pion1643 excavate1843 throw1843 crow1853 spade1869 1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xxii. 2 If a theef brekynge an hows, or were foundun vndurmynynge. 1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy ii. 6335 Þei..turnen vp so doun Boþe wal & tour..Þat no þing stood, so þei vnder-myne. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 467 Necessarie it is..to undermine a great way by candle~light, & to make hollow vaults under the mountains. 1646 H. Peake Medit. upon Seige 60 It is an usuall practice to under-mine, and when they have brought the Mine unto the Works, to blow it up with powder. 1685 Mr. Travestin Acct. Proc. against Turks 34 This day we began to undermine on the side attackt by the Troops of Brunswick. c. In figurative context. ΚΠ c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 3480 Ye wend..þat ye had hym engyned; But yee shul fele in every veyn þat ye be vndirmyned, And I-brouȝt at ground. 1559 J. Aylmer Harborowe sig. C2^v These..be..the pik-axes to vnder mynde the state. a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. i. 118 Man setting downe before you, will vndermine you, and blow you vp. View more context for this quotation 1670 J. Dryden Tyrannick Love iii. i. 20 Yet fierceness suits not with her gentle kind; They brave assaults; but may be undermin'd. 1794 E. Burke Let. 30 Dec. in Corr. (1969) VIII. 104 As yet, the house is not fallen; but it is completely undermined. 1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic III. vi. i. 409 Religious fanaticism had undermined the bulwark almost as soon as reared. 1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 363 The fair superstructure falls because the old foundations are undermined. 2. a. Of water: To work under and wash away (ground, etc.). ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > erosion or weathering > erode [verb (transitive)] > erosion by water undermine1398 wash?1523 gall1577 nip1897 1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) xv. lxxxii Þe parties of ilondes beþ ywasted, & vndermyned wiþ betinge of watres. 1562 Bp. J. Pilkington Expos. Abdyas Pref. 5 A strong heady streame, undermining great hygh bankes. 1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 676 The riveret Alen..undermineth the ground and once or twice hideth himselfe. 1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry 5 Alder makes an extraordinary Fence against Rivers and Streams, and preserves the Banks from being undermined by the Water. 1778 J. Cook Jrnl. 27 Aug. (1967) III. i. 425 By undermining and washing away that which lies exposed to the surge of the sea. 1855 D. T. Ansted in Orr's Circle Sci.: Inorg. Nature 155 The stream..relieving the gloom of the naked rocks, and at the same time tending to undermine them. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xv. 101 The glacier..is incessantly undermined,..till at length the projecting mass..tumbles into the lake. absolute.1858 G. MacDonald Phantastes xiii. 148 The springing waters were dammed back into his soul, where, finding no utterance, they..swelled, and undermined. b. Of animals: To burrow under or in; to make insecure, to cause to fall, through burrowing; also, to form (a passage) by burrowing. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > dig or burrow > make insecure or cause to fall by undermine1526 the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > dig or burrow > form passage by undermine1526 the world > space > shape > unevenness > condition or fact of receding > hollowness > make hollow [verb (transitive)] > make full of cavities > burrow under or in (of animals) undermine1526 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Oviii Catche these lytell foxes, whiche with dyggyng of their dennes vndermydeth our vynes. 1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 92 He hath his cabbage [= den] in the yearth with two contrary wayes vndermined to enter into it. 1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 40^v In a shorte space, there was a Towne in Spayne vndermined with Connyes. 1629 W. Davenant Trag. Albovine iii. i When she [sc. the mole] undermines the earth. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 133 Lizards..a dark Retreat Have found in Combs, and undermin'd the Seat. View more context for this quotation a1704 T. Brown Bantering Declam. in Wks. (1707) I. i. 59 All Thessaly had in the twinkling of a Shoeing-horn been certainly undermin'd by Lobsters. c. Pathology. To erode beneath the surface. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > wasting disease > affect with wasting disease [verb (transitive)] wastec1230 forpinec1275 pinea1325 corrodec1400 rust1493 macerate1547 forwaste1563 tabefy1656 tabid1661 colliquate1666 undermine1879 1879 St. George's Hosp. Rep. 9 254 Hip-joint..surrounded with œdema and undermined by sinuses. 1898 Hutchinson's Arch. Surg. IX. 111 The chronic infective inflammations..which ulcerate to a slight extent whilst they undermine widely. 3. figurative. (Cf. 1c) To work secretly or stealthily against (a person); to overthrow or supplant by underhand means. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > treat cunningly [verb (transitive)] > overthrow by cunning undermine1430 α. 1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) iv. Prol. 99 b Fortune could him vndermine That al hys wisedome stode in none auayle. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. xxvii. E He maye well be called Iacob, for he hath vndermined me now two tymes. 1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iv. xviii To beguile and vndermine an other man, al men know to be vnlawfull. 1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island ii. xviii. 21 Whose pleasing sweetnesse..Doth oft the Prince himself with witch'ries undermine. 1678 N. Wanley Wonders Little World v. i. §100. 468/1 Rodolphus..being undermined by his brother Matthias, was forced to surrender to him..Hungary and Bohemia. 1759 W. Robertson Hist. Scotl. iii, in Wks. (1851) I. 237 Some of his rivals he secretly undermined. 1775 J. Adair Hist. Amer. Indians 91 The religious advantages and arguments by which the French used to undermine us with the Indians. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 197 Those who had assailed and undermined him began to struggle for the fragments of his power. 1876 J. G. Holland Story of Sevenoaks (new ed.) xiv. 200 Are you to sit tamely down and be undermined? β. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 767/1 Medyll nat with hym,..for surely he wyll undermynde the.1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. vi. sig. R5 He was nothing valorous, But with slie shiftes and wiles did vnderminde All noble Knights. View more context for this quotation1613 T. Jackson Eternall Truth Script. ii. vii. §7 Yet are they easily to be underminded by Sathan.1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 103 If he be a Master workman, whom they will..suspect to have a design to underminde and supplant them.1869– in Eng. Dial. Dict. (Yks., Lanc., Linc.). absolute.1584 J. Lyly Sapho & Phao i. iii. 26 Where we suspect, we vndermine.1712 R. Blackmore Creation vii. 332 Th' ambitious Statesman labours dark Designs, Now open Force employs, now undermines. †4. To underlie and spoil. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > damage > damage or injure [verb (transitive)] mareOE shendOE hinderc1000 amarOE awemc1275 noyc1300 touchc1300 bleche1340 blemisha1375 spill1377 misdoa1387 grieve1390 damagea1400 despoil?a1400 matea1400 snapea1400 mankc1400 overthrowa1425 tamec1430 undermine1430 blunder1440 depaira1460 adommage?1473 endamage1477 prejudicec1487 fulyie1488 martyra1500 dyscrase?1504 corrupt1526 mangle1534 danger1538 destroy1542 spoil1563 ruinate1564 ruin1567 wrake1570 injury1579 bane1587 massacre1589 ravish1594 wrong1595 rifle1604 tainta1616 mutilea1618 to do violence toa1625 flaw1665 stun1676 quail1682 maul1694 moil1698 damnify1712 margullie1721 maul1782 buga1790 mux1806 queer1818 batter1840 puckeroo1840 rim-rack1841 pretty1868 garbage1899 savage1899 to do in1905 strafe1915 mash1924 blow1943 nuke1967 mung1969 1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1544) i. x. 21 b Some fresh floures haue a full bitter rote And lothsom gal can suger eke vnder~mine. 5. To persuade or win over, to tamper with or pervert, by subtle means. Also absol. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > persuade or prevail upon > by subtle or underhand means undermine1457 compass1563 cozen1599 wire-draw1622 subinduce1646 to get at ——1780 1457 J. Hardyng Chron. in Eng. Hist. Rev. Oct. (1912) 747 His language..so benygne was and trewe it vndyrmyned Thair hertes hole to loue hym at thair myght. a1529 J. Skelton Why come ye nat to Courte (?1545) 434 So he dothe vndermynde, And such sleyghtes dothe fynde, That the kynges mynde By hym is subuerted. 1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 27 Ferardo..desired him to keepe silence, vntil he had vndermined hir by subtiltie. 1664 J. Dryden Rival Ladies iv. iii. 49 She undermin'd my Soul With tears. 1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 179 The Father..Ventures his filial Vertue, though untri'd, Against whate're may..Allure, or terrifie, or undermine . View more context for this quotation †6. a. To ascertain, or inquire, in a secret or underhand manner. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)] > in an underhand manner undermine?c1550 ?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 56 Cæsar undermining their counsels throughe his Captives. ?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 80 When as Agricola hadd..undermined the purpose of his adversaries. 1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. L2 ^v He hath been noted..very suspitiously to vndermine, whither any man knew such a fellow. †b. To question (a person) guilefully. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > interrogation > question, interrogate [verb (transitive)] > indirectly or cautiously feel1425 undermine1574 sound1575 undercrop1596 to draw out1778 1574 A. Gilby tr. Test. Twelue Patriarches f. 58^v He will talke guilfully with thee and vndermine thee to do thee a shrewd turne. 1599 R. Fitch in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (new ed.) II. i. 266 There was a Dutch Jesuite..sent vnto them, to vndermine and examine them. 7. a. To weaken, injure, destroy or ruin, surreptitiously or insidiously. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > do harm or injury to > gradually or secretly undergoc1000 minec1422 undercreepa1440 cankera1450 undermine1565 cankerfret1585 sap1711 honeycomb1821 white-ant1905 submarine1917 sabotage1918 undercut1955 monkeywrench1986 α. 1569 (title) A Bull graunted by The Pope..to vndermyne..Allegeance to the Quene. a1596 Sir Thomas More (1911) i. ii. 69 I pray ye,..Goe not aboute to vndermine my life. 1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper ii. 146 It is no fault..to under~mine fraud with fraud. 1699 Bp. G. Burnet Expos. Thirty-nine Articles xviii. 174 Which strikes at the Foundation, and undermines the Truth of all Revealed Religion. 1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. i. ii. 10 A dangerous sort of Men that wou'd undermine received Principles and Opinions. 1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. lix. 272 Who is he, that has made it the study..of his life, to undermine and alter the whole system of jurisprudence? 1850 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire I. ix. 438 The authority of the nobles as a class had been completely undermined. 1884 J. Ruskin Pleasures of Eng. 16 These controversies vexed and shook, but never undermined, the faith they strove to purify. β. 1565 T. Stapleton tr. F. Staphylus Apologie 152 To vnderminde Christendom.1694 R. Burthogge Ess. Reason 110 The Ground of this underminded, and the nature of the Divine Omnipresence represented.1726 tr. J. Cavalier Mem. Wars Cevennes Ded. p. iv Their Civil and Religious Liberties, which after having been artfully underminded by several preceding Princes, were at last totally subverted. b. To weaken or destroy (the health or constitution) by degrees; to sap. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > make weak fellOE wastec1230 faintc1386 endull1395 resolvea1398 afaintc1400 defeat?c1400 dissolvec1400 weakc1400 craze1476 feeblish1477 debilite1483 overfeeble1495 plucka1529 to bring low1530 debilitate1541 acraze1549 decaya1554 infirma1555 weaken1569 effeeble1571 enervate1572 enfeeble1576 slay1578 to pull downa1586 prosternate1593 shake1594 to lay along1598 unsinew1598 languefy1607 enerve1613 pulla1616 dispirit1647 imbecilitate1647 unstring1700 to run down1733 sap1755 reduce1767 prostrate1780 shatter1785 undermine1812 imbecile1829 disinvigorate1844 devitalize1849 wreck1850 atrophy1865 crumple1892 1812 G. Crabbe Tales ii. 38 Augmented pay procur'd him decent wealth, But years advancing undermin'd his health. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xxv. 319 Mercury may be given..in such a manner as gradually to undermine the constitution. 1860 J. M. Carnochan Operat. Surg. 61 The constitution became..undermined [by ostitis]. Derivatives undermined adj. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > erosion or weathering > [adjective] > water or wave erosion > eroded by water sea-worn1612 water-worn1776 gullied1794 undermined1844 the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > [adjective] > alteration of tissue > decomposition or destruction corrosivec1400 melting1605 undermined1844 attritional1849 saprogenic1876 saprogenous1876 1844 Peter Parley's Ann. 13 The undermined bank of some river. 1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 801 On examination of the undermined skin and granulations. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.1524v.a1382
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underminen.

underminev.

Derivatives