See Also: undermine(1)(dictionary)
undermine(2)(dictionary)
undermine(dictionary)

undermine(2) (iou)



undermine verb trans. ME.
[from UNDER- + MINE verb, prob. after Middle Dutch ondermineren (cf. Dutch ondermijnen).]
Dig or excavate beneath, make a passage or mine under (a wall etc.), esp. as a military operation; sap. ME.
F. Marryat We must under-mine the gate..; we must pull up the pavement until we can creep under. absol.: P. Holland Necessarie it is..to undermine a great way by candle-light..under the mountains.
transf.
a. Of a river, stream, etc.: work under and wash away the base or foundation of (land etc.). LME.
C. E. S. Norton The prisoned streamlet..undermining all the creviced bank.
b. Of an animal: burrow under or in; destroy the foundations of (land etc.) through burrowing. E16.
c. Medicine. Erode beneath the surface. L19.
fig.
a. Work secretly or stealthily against (a person etc.); overthrow or supplant (formerly also persuade or win over) by subtle or underhand means. LME.
Dryden She undermin'd my Soul With Tears. Ld Macaulay Those who had..undermined him began to struggle for the fragments of his power.
b. Weaken, injure, destroy, or ruin (reputation, authority, belief, etc.) surreptitiously or insidiously. M16.
D. Acheson New ideas..undermined the old ways and old loyalties. H. Macmillan Nasser's humiliating defeat..undermined the Egyptian dictator's strength and influence.
c. Weaken or destroy (the health or constitution) by degrees; sap. E19.
B. Guest Her normal work schedule..would undermine the healthiest of constitutions.
underminer noun E16.
underminingly adverb in an undermining manner L16.