- undermine *** under·mine vt
- [ˌʌndə'maɪn]
fig minare, (authority) pregiudicare
English-Italian dictionary. 2013.
undermine *** under·mine vt
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undermine — (v.) c.1300, undermyne, from UNDER (Cf. under) + MINE (Cf. mine) (v.). The figurative sense is attested from early 15c. Cf. Du. ondermijnen, Dan. underminere, Ger. unterminiren. Related: Undermined; undermining … Etymology dictionary
mine — I. adjective Etymology: Middle English min, from Old English mīn more at my Date: before 12th century my used before a word beginning with a vowel or h < this treasure in mine arms Shakespeare > or sometimes as a modifier of a preceding noun… … New Collegiate Dictionary
undermine — v.tr. 1 injure (a person, reputation, influence, etc.) by secret or insidious means. 2 weaken, injure, or wear out (health etc.) imperceptibly or insidiously. 3 wear away the base or foundation of (rivers undermine their banks). 4 make a mine or… … Useful english dictionary
Undermine — Un der*mine , v. t. 1. To excavate the earth beneath, or the part of, especially for the purpose of causing to fall or be overthrown; to form a mine under; to sap; as, to undermine a wall. [1913 Webster] A vast rock undermined from one end to the … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
mine — mine1 [mīn] pron. [ME min < OE, gen. sing of ic, I, akin to Ger mein: for base see ME] that or those belonging to me: the possessive form of I2, used without a following noun, often after of [that book is mine; mine are better; he is a friend… … English World dictionary
Mine — Mine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mined}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Mining}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To dig away, or otherwise remove, the substratum or foundation of; to lay a mine under; to sap; to undermine; hence, to ruin or destroy by slow degrees or secret… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
undermine — [un΄dər mīn′, un′dər mīn΄] vt. undermined, undermining 1. to dig beneath; excavate ground from under, so as to form a tunnel or mine 2. to wear away and weaken the supports of [erosion is undermining the wall] 3. to injure, weaken, or impair, esp … English World dictionary
mine — {{11}}mine (n.1) pit or tunnel in the earth for obtaining metals and minerals, c.1300, from O.Fr. mine vein, lode; tunnel, shaft; mineral ore; mine (for coal, tin, etc,), of uncertain origin, probably from a Celtic source (Cf. Welsh mwyn, Ir.… … Etymology dictionary
mine — 1. poss.pron. 1 the one or ones belonging to or associated with me (it is mine; mine are over there). 2 (attrib. before a vowel) archaic = MY (mine eyes have seen; mine host). Phrases and idioms: of mine of or belonging to me (a friend of mine).… … Useful english dictionary
undermine — transitive verb Date: 14th century 1. to excavate the earth beneath ; form a mine under ; sap 2. to wash away supporting material from under 3. to subvert or weaken insidiously or secretly < trying to undermine his political rivals > 4. to weaken … New Collegiate Dictionary
undermine — un|der|mine [ ,ʌndər maın ] verb transitive ** 1. ) to make something or someone become gradually less effective, confident, or successful: Britain was accused of undermining international efforts to reduce pollution. Their trading position has… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
