[UNDER-1 4 a, after L. subscrībĕre SUBSCRIBE v. Cf. OE. underwrítan.]
In Langl., P. Pl., A. XI. 255, undirwriten is apparently an error for the variant vnwriten.
1. trans. To write (words, figures, etc.) below something, esp. after other written matter.
c. 1430. Art Nombryng, 3. The nombre to be addede is that þat sholde be addede therto, and shall be vnderwriten. Ibid. It is convenient that the lesse nombre be vnderwrit, and the more addede.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 310. Euphorbium prepared in manner as shalbe vnder written, purgeth … slymie flegmes.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xiv. 614/2. The said Author, obseruing the scope of those lines,… doth vnderwrite and annex this Stanza.
1670. G. H., Hist. Cardinals, I. III. 86. His business is to under-write answers to all Petitions.
1709. Tatler, No. 74, ¶ 11. Each Subscriber should underwrite his Reason for the Place he allots his Candidate.
1753. Richardson, Grandison, VI. xlix. 298. I will entreat her to vnderwrite her mind on this subject.
1882. Act 45 & 46 Vict., c. 61, Sched. 1. The bill … should be annexed, or a copy of the bill and all that is written thereon should be underwritten.
† b. To write, subscribe, sign (one’s name) below, or at the end of, a document, etc. Obs.
1569. in Strype, Ann. Ref. (1709), I. lv. 566. That we, whose names are by ourselves underwritten, do acknowledge [etc.].
a. 1593. Marlowe, Edw. II., V. ii. Our behoofe will beare the greater sway When as a kings name shall be vnder writ.
1616. B. Jonson, Devil an Ass, III. iii. I haue enough on’t! for an hundred pieces? Yes, for two hundred, vnder-write me, doe. Your man will take my bond?
1682. Scarlett, Exchanges, 61. The Acceptant, when he accepts, must underwrite his Name.
1793. Gibbon, Misc. Wks. (1814), II. 493. When the subscription is proposed, I shall underwrite my name for, at least, six copies.
† c. absol. To become surety. Obs.
c. 1650. Higford, Instit. (1658), 17. For the most part the borrowers of money … are engaged one for another…. Those that stand engaged for you; you must underwrite for them also.
† 2. To subscribe (a document) with one’s name.
1557. Order of Hospitalls, C 7 b. Warrants … underwritten by the Thresorer … what shall be paid to any such Pencioner wekly.
1623. in Foster, Eng. Factories Ind. (1908), II. 320. The agreement mad betwixt us was underwrytten and sealed.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., VIII. i. § 4. No importunity could prevail with him to underwrite this will.
1682. in Lond. Gaz., No. 1782/1. One part thereof Signed by such Servant, and also Under-written or Endorsed with the Name and Hand-writing of such Magistrate.
1713. Guard., No. 39. I shall not retract any advertisement till I see those verses, and I’ll choose what to believe then, except they are underwritten by his nurse.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), VI. 365. A letter … signed by his Lordship,… and underwritten by myself.
absol. 1608. in Birch, Crt. & Times Jas. I. (1848), I. 84. His brother, whom … he hath now sent for up to undertake and underwrite with him.
b. spec. To subscribe (a policy of insurance) thereby accepting the risk of insurance. Also absol.
1622. Malynes, Anc. Law-Merch., 102. If one be bound, and two or more do put their hand and seale, and vnder-write, and seale the said Bill as Principals. Ibid., 166. The custome … doth impose the losse vpon those Assurors which did first vnderwrite.
1703. Lond. Gaz., No. 3940/4. Whosoever … hath underwritten any Policy of Insurance on the Ship Samuel.
1755. Magens, Insurances, I. 7. If this be declared when the Insurance is made, the Insurers … will never refuse to underwrite.
1766. W. Gordon, Gen. Counting-ho., 21. If you underwrite a policy mentioning … the sum underwrote.
1809–11. Combe, Syntax, XXV. 417. The Policies remain’d secure, Waiting for arms of signature; For what brave spirit e’er would fight ’em When nobody would underwrite ’em.
1876. F. Martin, Hist. Lloyd’s, 365. Both non-underwriting members and annual subscribers are … forbidden to underwrite any policy of insurance.
c. absol. To carry on the business of insurance.
1784. Ld. Macartney, in Burke’s Corr. (1844), III. 27. The impossibility of men’s fairly acquiring great wealth, in a short time, who neither lend, trade, play, nor under-write.
3. To set one’s name to, subscribe to (a decision, statement, etc.); to agree to or confirm by signature. Also fig.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., II. iii. 137. Worthier then him selfe…, vnder write in an obseruing kinde His humorous predominance.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Ch. Porch, xxiv. Man is a shop of rules, a well-truss’d pack, Whose every parcell under-writes a law.
1656. Earl Monm., trans. Boccalini’s Advts. fr. Parnass., I. lxxvii. 161. All the Assembly had already underwritten the reformation, when Thales put them in mind [etc.].
1678. Butler, Hud., III. iii. 148. Ali which they took in Black and White, And cudgel’d me to under-write.
a. 1853. Mrs. Opie, in Brightwell, Life (1854), 49. I could, with a safe conscience, underwrite all that he there relates.
† b. intr. To subscribe or agree to something.
1643. Quarles, Loyal C., 16. In case Papists should largely under-write to your Propositions,… would you not accept it?
4. † a. To guarantee to subscribe or contribute (a certain sum of money, etc.). Obs.
1623. Heriot, in Mem., App. III. (1822), 72. All my stock and adventures in the East India Company, wherein I did underwrite one thousand pounds.
1642. Lanc. Tracts Civ. War (Chetham Soc.), 62. Such moneyes and plate as Mr. Thomas Case … shall underwrite for the defence of Lancashire.
a. 1692. Pollexfen, Disc. Trade (1697), 99. The last Stock was underwrit by Vertue of a Charter granted Anno 1657.
1705. R. Beverley, Virginia, I. iv. (1722), 90. The Subscription-Money did not come in with the same readiness, with which it had been underwritten.
absol. 1680. R. L’Estrange, Citt & Bumpkin (ed. 3), 3. Masters underwrit for their Children, and Servants, Women for their Husbands.
b. spec. To agree to take up, in a new company or new issue (a certain number of shares if not applied for by the public).
1889. Lindley, Company Law (ed. 5), 761. A promoter of a company who had agreed to underwrite 10,000 shares for a commission of 15 per cent. was held a contributory in respect of 8,500 shares which he had not been able to induce other persons to take.
1896. Times Law Rep. (1897), XIII. 570. The Globe Company shall underwrite, or procure to be underwritten,… the first issue of 250,000 shares.
b. To support by a guarantee of funds.
1890. Spectator, 22 Nov. Many of the usual holders of great sums of money have of late been ‘underwriting’ great industrial enterprises.
† 5. a. To undertake or guarantee in writing to do something. Obs.
1621. in Foster, Eng. Factories Ind. (1906), I. 346. The Ballochs … whoe underwrot to carry the last yeares caphila to Mando.
1642. Propos. conc. Rais. Horse, etc., 5. Whosoever … shall underwrite to furnish and maintain any number of Horse.
1644. Vicars, God in Mount, 163. Persons … who had … under-written to lend horse, and moneyes.
† b. To guarantee or promise that. Obs.
1838. Calhoun, Wks. (1874), III. 237. Pass the bill, and I underwrite that we shall never have again to complain of a surplus.
Hence Underwriting ppl. a.
1876. F. Martin, Hist. Lloyd’s, 364. All underwriting members pay … an entrance fee of £100.
