v. [UNDER-1 4 a, 10 a.]
1. trans. To build under, as a means of strengthening or supporting; to underpin. Also intr.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., 185. In the underbuilding, pinning and propping up of their pits.
1653. Blithe, Eng. Improver Impr., To Rdr. I shall a little by way of Reparation in some parts underbuild, and some lean-to, or less necessary, quite pull down of the old work.
1828. Owen & Blakeway, Hist. Shrewsbury, II. 245. A stone-mason … proposed to cut away the lower parts of the infirm pier, and to underbuild it with free stone.
1861. Smiles, Engineers, II. 322. Directing him to cut away the injured part of the pillar, in order to underbuild it.
2. To build or pile up under one.
1627. May, Lucan, VIII. P 6 b. Fire brought, not vnderbuilt great Pompey takes.
3. To fall below in respect of building.
1847. Disraeli, Tancred, I. iv. It was built by the first duke of the second dynasty, who was always afraid of underbuilding his position.
