Chapter 1798

Un"der*set`ter (?) , n. One who, or that which, undersets or supports; a prop; a support; a pedestal.

Undersetting <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*set`ting (?) , n. Something set or built under as a support; a pedestal.

Sir H. Wotton.

Undershapen <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*shap`en (?) , a. Under the usual shape or size; small; dwarfish. [Poetic]

His dwarf, a vicious undershapen thing. Tennyson.

Undersheriff <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*sher`iff (?) , n. A sheriff's deputy.

Undersheriffry <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*sher`iff*ry (?) , n. Undershrievalty. [Obs.]

Undershirt <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*shirt` (?) , n. A shirt worn next the skin, under another shirt; -- called also undervest .

Undershoot <Xpage=1570>

Un`der*shoot" (?) , v. t. To shoot short of (a mark).

Undershot <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*shot` (?) , a. 1. (Zo\'94l.) Having the lower incisor teeth projecting beyond the upper ones, as in the bulldog.

2. Moved by water passing beneath; -- said of a water wheel, and opposed to overshot ; as, an undershot wheel .

Undershrievalty <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*shriev"al*ty (?) , n. The office or position of an undersheriff.

Undershrieve <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*shrieve` (?) , n. (Bot.) A low shrub; a woody plant of low stature.

Undershrub <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*shrub` , a. Partly shrublike.

Undershut <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*shut` (?) , a. Closed from beneath.

Undershut valve (Mach.) , a valve which shuts by being lifted against a seat facing downward.

Knight.

Underside <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*side` (?) , n. The lower or lowest side of anything.

Paley.

Undersign <Xpage=1570>

Un`der*sign" (?) , v. t. To write one's name at the foot or end of, as a letter or any legal instrument.

The undersigned , the person whose name is signed, or the persons whose names are signed, at the end of a document; the subscriber or subscribers.

Undersized <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*sized` (?) , a. Of a size less than is common.

Underskinker <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*skink`er (?) , n. Undertapster. [Obs.]

Underskirt <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*skirt` (?) , n. A petticoat; the foundation skirt of a draped dress.

Undersky <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*sky` (?) , n. The lower region of the sky.

Floating about the undersky . Tennyson.

Undersleeve <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*sleeve` (?) , n. A sleeve of an under-garment; a sleeve worn under another,

Undersoil <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*soil` (?) , n. The soil beneath the surface; understratum; subsoil.

Undersoid <Xpage=1570>

Un`der*soid" (?) , p. p. of Undersell .

Undersong <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*song` (?) , n. 1. The burden of a song; the chorus; the refrain.

Dryden.

2. Accompanying strain; subordinate and underlying meaning; accompaniment; undertone.

In the very [poetry] there often an undersong of sense which none beside the poetic mind . . . can comprehend. Landor.

Undersparred <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*sparred` (?) , a. (Naut.) Having spars smaller than the usual dimension; -- said of vessels.

Underspend <Xpage=1570>

Un`der*spend" (?) , v. t. To spend less than.

Undersphere <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*sphere` (?) , n. 1. A sphere which is smaller than, and in its movements subject to, another; a satellite.

2. An inferior sphere, or field of action.

Underspore <Xpage=1570>

Un`der*spore" (?) , v. t. To raise with a spar, or piece of wood, used as a lever. [Obs.]

Give me a staff that I may underspore . Chaucer.

Understair <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*stair` (?) , a. Of or pertaining to the kitchen, or the servants' quarters; hence, subordinate; menial. [Obs.]

Understairs <Xpage=1570>

Un"der*stairs` (?) , n. The basement or cellar.

<page="1571"> Page 1571

Understand <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*stand" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Understood (?) , and Archaic Understanded ; p. pr. & vb. n. Understanding .] [OE. understanden , AS. understandan , literally, to stand under; cf. AS. for standan to understand, G. ver stehen . The development of sense is not clear. See Under , and Stand .] 1. To have just and adequate ideas of; to apprehended the meaning or intention of; to have knowledge of; to comprehend; to know; as, to understand a problem in Euclid; to understand a proposition or a declaration; the court understands the advocate or his argument; to understand the sacred oracles; to understand a nod or a wink. <-- in ety, sic: "development of sense"?? perh. s.b. "development of this sense"?? -->

Speaketh [ i. e. , speak thou] so plain at this time, I you pray, That we may understande what ye say. Chaucer.

I understand not what you mean by this. Shak.

Understood not all was but a show. Milton.

A tongue not understanded of the people. Bk. of Com. Prayer.

2. To be apprised, or have information, of; to learn; to be informed of; to hear; as, I understand that Congress has passed the bill .

3. To recognize or hold as being or signifying; to suppose to mean; to interpret; to explain.

The most learned interpreters understood the words of sin, and not of Abel. Locke.

4. To mean without expressing; to imply tacitly; to take for granted; to assume.

War, then, war, Open or understood , must be resolved. Milton.

5. To stand under; to support. [Jocose & R.]

Shak.

To give one to understand , to cause one to know. -- To make one's self understood , to make one's meaning clear.

Understand <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*stand" , v. i. 1. To have the use of the intellectual faculties; to be an intelligent being.

Imparadised in you, in whom alone I understand , and grow, and see. Donne.

2. To be informed; to have or receive knowledge.

I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah. Neh. xiii. 7.

Understandable <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*stand"a*ble (?) , a. Capable of being understood; intelligible.

Chillingworth.

Understander <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*stand"er (?) , n. One who understands, or knows by experience. [R.]

Dryden.

Understanding <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*stand"ing , a. Knowing; intelligent; skillful; as, he is an understanding man .

Understanding <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*stand"ing , n. 1. The act of one who understands a thing, in any sense of the verb; knowledge; discernment; comprehension; interpretation; explanation.

2. An agreement of opinion or feeling; adjustment of differences; harmony; anything mutually understood or agreed upon; as, to come to an understanding with another .

He hoped the loyalty of his subjects would concur with him in the preserving of a good understanding between him and his people. Clarendon.

3. The power to understand; the intellectual faculty; the intelligence; the rational powers collectively conceived an designated; the higher capacities of the intellect; the power to distinguish truth from falsehood, and to adapt means to ends.

There is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty them understanding . Job xxxii. 8.

The power of perception is that which we call the understanding . Perception, which we make the act of the understanding , is of three sorts: 1. The perception of ideas in our mind; 2. The perception of the signification of signs; 3. The perception of the connection or repugnancy, agreement or disagreement, that there is between any of our ideas. All these are attributed to the understanding , or perceptive power, though it be the two latter only that use allows us to say we understand. Locke.

In its wider acceptation, understanding is the entire power of perceiving an conceiving, exclusive of the sensibility: the power of dealing with the impressions of sense, and composing them into wholes, according to a law of unity; and in its most comprehensive meaning it includes even simple apprehension. Coleridge.

4. Specifically, the discursive faculty; the faculty of knowing by the medium or use of general conceptions or relations. In this sense it is contrasted with, and distinguished from, the reason .

I use the term understanding , not for the noetic faculty, intellect proper, or place of principles, but for the dianoetic or discursive faculty in its widest signification, for the faculty of relations or comparisons; and thus in the meaning in which "verstand" is now employed by the Germans. Sir W. Hamilton.

Syn. -- Sense; intelligence; perception. See Sense .

Understandingly <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*stand"ing*ly , adv. In an understanding manner; intelligibly; with full knowledge or comprehension; intelligently; as, to vote upon a question understandingly ; to act or judge understandingly .

The gospel may be neglected, but in can not be understandingly disbelieved. J. Hawes.

Understate <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*state" (?) , v. t. To state or represent less strongly than may be done truthfully.

Understatement <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*state`ment (?) , n. The act of understating, or the condition of being understated; that which is understated; a statement below the truth.

Understock <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*stock" (?) , v. t. To supply insufficiently with stock.

A. Smith.

Understood <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*stood" (?) , imp. & p. p. of Understand .

Understrapper <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*strap`per (?) , n. A petty fellow; an inferior agent; an underling.

This was going to the fountain head at once, not applying to the understrappers . Goldsmith.

Understrapping <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*strap`ping , a. Becoming an understrapper; subservient. [R.]

Sterne.

Understratum <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*stra`tum (?) , n. ; pl. L. Understrata (<?/) , E. Understratums (<?/) . The layer, or stratum, of earth on which the mold, or soil, rests; subsoil.

Understroke <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*stroke" (?) , v. t. To underline or underscore.

Swift.

Understudy <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*stud`y (?) , v. t. & i. (Theater) To study, as another actor's part, in order to be his substitute in an emergency; to study another actor's part.

Understudy <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*stud`y , n. One who studies another's part with a view to assuming it in an emergency.

Undersuit <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*suit` (?) , n. A suit worn under another suit; a suit of underclothes.

Undertakable <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*tak"a*ble (?) , a. Capable of being undertaken; practicable.

Undertake <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*take" (?) , v. t. [ imp. Undertook (?) ; p. p. Undertaken (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Undertaking .] [ Under + take .] 1. To take upon one's self; to engage in; to enter upon; to take in hand; to begin to perform; to set about; to attempt.

To second, or oppose, or undertake The perilous attempt. Milton.

2. Specifically, to take upon one's self solemnly or expressly; to lay one's self under obligation, or to enter into stipulations, to perform or to execute; to covenant; to contract.

I 'll undertake to land them on our coast. Shak.

3. Hence, to guarantee; to promise; to affirm.

And he was not right fat, I undertake . Dryden.

And those two counties I will undertake Your grace shall well and quietly enjoiy. Shak.

I dare undertake they will not lose their labor. Woodward.

4. To assume, as a character. [Obs.]

Shak.

5. To engage with; to attack. [Obs.]

It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offense to. Shak.

6. To have knowledge of; to hear. [Obs.]

Spenser.

7. To take or have the charge of. [Obs.] "Who undertakes you to your end."

Shak.

Keep well those that ye undertake . Chaucer.

Undertake <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*take" , v. i. 1. To take upon one's self, or assume, any business, duty, or province.

O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Isa. xxxviii. 14.

2. To venture; to hazard. [Obs.]

It is the cowish terror of his spirit That dare not undertake . Shak.

3. To give a promise or guarantee; to be surety.

But on mine honor dare I undertake For good lord Titus' innocence in all. Shak.

Undertaker <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*tak"er (?) , n. 1. One who undertakes; one who engages in any project or business.

Beau. & Fl.

2. One who stipulates or covenants to perform any work for another; a contractor.

To sign deputations for undertakes to furnish their proportions of saltpeter. Evelyn.

In come some other undertakes , and promise us the same or greater wonders. South.

3. Specifically, one who takes the charge and management of funerals.

Undertaking <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*tak"ing , n. 1. The act of one who undertakes, or engages in, any project or business.

Hakluyt.

2. That which is undertaken; any business, work, or project which a person engages in, or attempts to perform; an enterprise.

3. Specifically, the business of an undertaker, or the management of funerals.

4. A promise or pledge; a guarantee.

A. Trollope.

Undertapster <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*tap"ster (?) , n. Assistant to a tapster.

Undertaxed <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*taxed` (?) , a. Taxed too little, or at a lower rate than others.

Undertenancy <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*ten`an*cy (?) , n. Tenancy or tenure under a tenant or lessee; the tenure of an undertenant.

Undertenant <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*ten`ant (?) , n. The tenant of a tenant; one who holds lands or tenements of a tenant or lessee.

Underthing <Xpage=1571>

Un"der**thing` (?) , n. Something that is inferior and of little worth. [Obs.]

Beau. & Fl.

Undertide, Undertime <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*tide` (?) , Un"der*time` (?) , n. [ Under + tide , time. Cf. Undern .] The under or after part of the day; undermeal; evening. [Obs.]

He, coming home at undertime , there found The fairest creature that he ever saw. Spenser.

Undertone <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*tone` (?) , n. A low or subdued tone or utterance; a tone less loud than usual. <-- 2. an attitude, usu. conveyed by more than one part of an action or a communication, but not explicitly expressed. -->

Undertook <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*took" (?) , imp. of Undertake .

Undertow <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*tow` (?) , n. (Naut.) The current that sets seaward near the bottom when waves are breaking upon the shore.

Undertreasurer <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*treas`ur*er (?) , n. An assistant treasurer.

Underturn <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*turn (?) , v. t. To turn upside down; to subvert; to upset. [Obs.]

Wyclif.

Undervaluation <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*val`u*a"tion (?) , n. The act of undervaluing; a rate or value not equal to the real worth.

Undervalue <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*val"ue (?) , v. t. 1. To value, rate, or estimate below the real worth; to depreciate.

2. To esteem lightly; to treat as of little worth; to hold in mean estimation; to despise.

In comparison of it I undervalued all ensigns of authority. Atterbury.

I write not this with the least intention to undervalue the other parts of poetry. Dryden.

Undervalue <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*val"ue , n. A low rate or price; a price less than the real worth; undervaluation.

Milton.

Undervaluer <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*val"u*er (?) , n. One who undervalues.

Underverse <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*verse` (?) , n. The lower or second verse. [Obs.]

Undervest <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*vest` (?) , n. An undershirt.

Underviewer <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*view`er (?) , n. See Underlooker .

Underwear <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*wear` (?) , n. That which is worn under the outside clothing; underclothes.

Underween <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*ween" (?) , v. t. To undervalue. [Obs.]

Underwent <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*went" (?) , imp. of Undergo .

Underwing <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*wing` (?) , n. 1. (Zo\'94l.) One of the posterior wings of an insect.

2. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of noctuid moths belonging to Catocala and allied genera, in which the hind wings are banded with red and black or other conspicuous colors. Many of the species are called red underwing .

Underwitted <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*wit`ted (?) , a. Weak in intellect; half-witted; silly. [R.]

Bp. Kennet.

Underwood <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*wood` (?) , n. Small trees and bushes that grow among large trees; coppice; underbrush; -- formerly used in the plural.

Shrubs and underwoods look well enough while they grow within the shade of oaks and cedars. Addison.

Underwork <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*work" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Underworked (?) or Underwrought (<?/) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Underworking .] 1. To injure by working secretly; to destroy or overthrow by clandestine measure; to undermine.

But thou from loving England art so far, That thou hast underwrought his lawful king. Shak.

2. To expend too little work upon; as, to underwork a painting .

Dryden.

3. To do like work at a less price than; as, one mason may underwork another .

Underwork <Xpage=1571>

Un`der*work" , v. i. 1. To work or operate in secret or clandestinely.

B. Jonson.

2. To do less work than is proper or suitable.

3. To do work for a less price than current rates.

Underwork <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*work` (?) , n. Inferior or subordinate work; petty business.

Addison.

Underworker <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*work`er (?) , n. 1. One who underworks.

2. An inferior or subordinate workman.

Waterland.

Underworld <Xpage=1571>

Un"der*world` (?) , n. 1. The lower of inferior world; the world which is under the heavens; the earth.