What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Indemnify vs Underwrite - What's the difference?

indemnify | underwrite |

As verbs the difference between indemnify and underwrite

is that indemnify is to secure against loss or damage; to insure while underwrite is to write below or under; subscribe.

indemnify

English

Etymology 1

From (forming verbs'')''Oxford English Dictionary , 1st ed. "indemnify, v.1". Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1900.

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To secure against loss or damage; to insure.
  • * 1670 , , letter to Lord Arlington, in The Works of Sir William Temple , page 101:
    • The states must at last engage to the merchants here that they will indemnify them from all that shall fall out.
  • (senseid)(chiefly, legal) To compensate or reimburse someone for some expense or injury
  • * 1906 , Civil Code of the State of California [http://books.google.com/books?id=Vds3AAAAIAAJ], page 405:
    • The lender of a thing for use must indemnify the borrower for damage caused by defects or vices in it, which he knew at the time of lending, and concealed from the borrower.
    Derived terms
    * indemnifiable * indemnification * indemnifier
    Related terms
    * indemnity

    Etymology 2

    From , assimilated to (indemn) and

    Verb

  • (obsolete, rare) to hurt, to harm
  • *1583 , Thomas Stocker's translation of A tragicall historie of the troubles and ciuile warres of the lowe Countries , i. 63a
  • *:He... did not belieue]] that his [[Majesty, Maiestie by this occasion coulde any way be endemnified .
  • *1593 , Thomas Lodge, Life & Death of William Long Beard , E ij
  • *:What harme the Rhodians haue]] [[done, doone thee, that thou so much indemnifiest them?

    • References

    underwrite

    English

    Verb

  • To write below or under; subscribe.
  • (transitive, intransitive, obsolete) To subscribe (a document, policy etc.) with one's name.
  • To sign; to put one's name to.
  • To agree to pay by signing one's name; subscribe.
  • Specifically, to assume financial responsibility for something, and guarantee it against failure.
  • 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.
  • To support, lend support to, guarantee the basis of.
  • To submit to; put up with.

    • Derived terms

    * underwriter * underwriting