underpinning
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un·der·pin·ning
(ŭn′dər-pĭn′ĭng)n.
1. Material or masonry used to support a structure, such as a wall.
2. often underpinnings A support or foundation: "It was the towns, not the cities, that provided the underpinnings for the great American experiment" (Frank Conroy).
3. underpinnings Informal The human legs.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
underpinning
(ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋ)n
(Building) a structure of masonry, concrete, etc, placed beneath a wall to provide support
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
un•der•pin•ning
(ˈʌn dərˌpɪn ɪŋ)n.
1. a system of supports beneath a wall or the like.
2. Often, underpinnings. a foundation or basis: to strengthen the underpinnings of a friendship.
[1480–90]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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underpinning
noun support, base, foundation, footing, groundwork, substructure the economic underpinning of ancient Mexican society
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
underpinning
noun1. A means or device that keeps something erect, stable, or secure:
2. The lowest or supporting part or structure.Often used in plural:
base, basis, bed, bottom, foot, footing, foundation, fundament, ground, groundwork, seat, substratum.
3. That on which something immaterial, such as an argument or a charge, rests.Often used in plural:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005