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Webster 1913 Edition


Underwrite

Unˊder-write′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp.
Underwrote
,
Obs
.
Underwrit
;
p. p.
Underwritten
,
Obs
.
Underwrit
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Underwriting
.]
1.
To write under something else; to subscribe.
What addition and change I have made I have here
underwritten
.
Bp. Sanderson.
2.
To subscribe one’s name to for insurance, especially for marine insurance; to write one's name under, or set one's name to, as a policy of insurance, for the purpose of becoming answerable for loss or damage, on consideration of receiving a certain premium per cent;
as, individuals, as well as companies, may
underwrite
policies of insurance
.
B. Jonson.
The broker who procures the insurance ought not, by
underwriting
the policy, to deprive the parties of his unbiased testimony.
Marshall.

Unˊder-write′

,
Verb.
I.
To practice the business of insuring; to take a risk of insurance on a vessel or the like.

Webster 1828 Edition


Underwrite

UNDERWRI'TE

,
Verb.
T.
[See Write.]
1.
To write under something else.
The change I have made, I have here underwritten.
2.
To subscribe. We whose names are underwritten, agree to pay the sums expressed against your respective names.
3.
To subscribe one's name for insurance; to set one's name to a policy of insurance, for the purpose of becoming answerable for loss or damage, for a certain premium per cent. Individuals underwrite policies of insurance, as well as companies.
The broker who procures insurance, ought not, by underwriting the policy, to deprive the parties of his unbiased testimony.

UNDERWRI'TE

,
Verb.
I.
To practice insuring.

Definition 2024


underwrite

underwrite

English

Verb

underwrite (third-person singular simple present underwrites, present participle underwriting, simple past underwrote, past participle underwritten)

  1. (transitive) To write below or under; subscribe.
  2. (transitive, intransitive, obsolete) To subscribe (a document, policy etc.) with one's name.
  3. (transitive) To sign; to put one's name to.
  4. (transitive) To agree to pay by signing one's name; subscribe.
  5. (transitive) Specifically, to assume financial responsibility for something, and guarantee it against failure.
  6. (intransitive) To act as an underwriter.
    • Marshall
      The broker who procures the insurance ought not, by underwriting the policy, to deprive the parties of his unbiased testimony.
  7. (transitive) To support, lend support to, guarantee the basis of.
  8. (transitive) To submit to; put up with.

Derived terms

Translations