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Underpin vs Undertow - What's the difference?

underpin | undertow |

In lang=en terms the difference between underpin and undertow

is that underpin is to support from below with props or masonry while undertow is to flow or behave as an undertow.

As verbs the difference between underpin and undertow

is that underpin is to support from below with props or masonry while undertow is to pull or tow under; drag beneath; pull down.

As a noun undertow is

a short-range flow of water returning seaward from the waves breaking on the shore.

underpin

English

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.

    undertow

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To pull or tow under; drag beneath; pull down.
  • * 1914 , Denton Jaques Snider, Lincoln at Richmond :
  • Off in a gallop the General wheeled vanishing, And sped his steed away into the blue, When Lineoln now alone let go his speech Which had before been undertowed by force, [...]
  • To pull down by, or as by, an undertow.
  • * 1998 , Richard Gough, David Williams, Ric Allsopp, Performance Research: On Place :
  • A sense that the air, a sighting of muddy river, or that outcrop of rock so implacably bland in the light of midday, is undertowed by memory.
  • * 2003 , Michael T. Leibig, Mike Leibig Traveling in Disguise :
  • I sink because I cannot swim, undertowed to the Centre, abandoning all remembrance of the surface toward the cloud of unknowing, without choice I'm pulled.
  • To flow or behave as an undertow.
  • * 1917 , The Unpopular review:
  • Everybody knows this and acts accordingly; but when you say it, it sounds bad and bold, and makes you uncomfortable to hear it, because the puritan blood is still undertowing in your veins.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A short-range flow of water returning seaward from the waves breaking on the shore.
  • A strong undertow may sweep a returning swimmer off their feet but it does not carry them far from the shore.
  • (by extension) A feeling that runs contrary to one's normal one.
  • See also

    * rip current