Verb

(enabling) (enabl)

To give strength or ability to; to make firm and strong.

* 1611 , King James Bible , "1 Tim. i. 12"

Who hath enabled me.

To make able (to do, or to be, something); to confer sufficient power upon; to furnish with means, opportunities, and the like; to render competent for; to empower; to endow.

* 1711 , October 13, (Joseph Addison), (The Spectator) , number 195

Temperance gives Nature her full play, and enables her to exert herself in all her force and vigor.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-29, volume=407, issue=8842, page=72-3, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= A punch in the gut , passage=Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial. It helps with digestion and enables people to extract a lot more calories from their food than would otherwise be possible. Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism.}}

To allow a way out or excuse for an action.

Verb

(underpinn)

To support from below with props or masonry.

You should underpin the mine roof to prevent further collapse.

(figuratively) To give support to; to corroborate.

Public confidence in politicians must underpin our democracy.