underwrite
underwrite Lexical Profile
underwrite Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To undertake to finance or otherwise support a project, venture, or organization.
"Several local philanthropists offered to underwrite the cost of the museum's new educational wing."
To sign and accept liability under an insurance policy, thereby guaranteeing payment in case of loss or damage.
"The syndicate agreed to underwrite the maritime insurance policy for the cargo vessel."
To engage to buy all the unsold shares in an issue of new securities so as to guarantee the issuer the full proceeds (especially of an investment bank).
"A consortium of major investment banks was selected to underwrite the technology company's initial public offering."
• Rhymes for underwrite
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'underwritan', a loan-translation of Latin 'subscribere' ('to write below'). Its modern financial sense arose in the 17th century at London coffeehouses, where marine insurers literally wrote their names and the amount of risk they would cover at the bottom of a shipping policy.