underwrite
VerbWordNet 3.0
Verb (2)
- guarantee financial support of“The opera tour was subvented by a bank”Synonyms: subventionsubvent
- protect by insurance“The insurance won't cover this”Synonyms: coverinsure
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Underwrite \Un`der*write"\, v. t. [imp. Underwrote, Obs. Underwrit; p. p. Underwritten, Obs. Underwrit; p. pr. & vb. n. Underwriting.]
1.To write under something else; to subscribe. [1913 Webster]
What addition and change I have made I have here underwritten.— Bp. Sanderson.[1913 Webster]
2.To subscribe one's name to for insurance, especially for marine insurance; to write one's name under, or set one's name to, as a policy of insurance, for the purpose of becoming answerable for loss or damage, on consideration of receiving a certain premium per cent; as, individuals, as well as companies, may underwrite policies of insurance. --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
The broker who procures the insurance ought not, by underwriting the policy, to deprive the parties of his unbiased testimony.— Marshall.[1913 Webster]
Underwrite \Un`der*write"\, v. i. To practice the business of insuring; to take a risk of insurance on a vessel or the like. [1913 Webster]