vbl. sb. [f. UNDERCUT v.] The action of the verb in various senses; the result of cutting away below.
1613–39. I. Jones, in Leoni, Palladio’s Archit. (1742), II. 45. The under cutting of the Corona too, is simple. Ibid., Many times the Ancients did carve the Undercutting of the Corona, with Leaves.
1836. Palgrave, Cal. & Inv. Exchequer, I. p. xxi. The ground [of the seal] is grained, and the undercutting and fillagree are so deep [etc.].
1853. Ruskin, Stones Ven., III. ii. 89. Elaborate backgrounds,… together with useless undercutting, and over-finish in subordinate parts.
1877. Raymond, Statist. Mines & Mining, 37. This will allow an undercutting of the old works from 800 to 1,000 feet.
