UNDERPINNING • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Underpinning

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

Listen

noun

Underpinning n.

The act of one who underpins; the act of supporting by stones, masonry, or the like.

(Arch.)

(a)

That by which a building is underpinned; the material and construction used for support, introduced beneath a wall already constructed.

(b)

The foundation, esp. of a frame house. (Local, U. S.)

See images of 'Underpinning'

Etymology of 'Underpinning'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

Add this dictionary
to your browser search bar

"Underpinning" Quotes from Famous Books

... ornamental features and much else, some of which we shall have an opportunity of noticing rather later. The strangest business, however, which is intrusted to the bricklayer is building downward—by the method known as underpinning—so that if a foundation has failed, a sounder one at a greater depth may be reached; or if a basement is required under an existing building which has none, the space may be excavated and the new walls built so ...

— Scientific American Supplement, No. 601, July 9, 1887 • Various

... get it from the Canon, who only left a net personality of under L4,000.... I read his will at Somerset House.... She has had her portrait in the Queen because she gave a large subscription to the underpinning of Winchester Cathedral and the restoration of Wolvesey as a clergy house.... Mother must be very rich, I should judge, from certain indications. I expect she will retire from the 'Hotels,' some day, wipe out the past, and buy a new present with her money.... ...

— Mrs. Warren's Daughter - A Story of the Woman's Movement • Sir Harry Johnston