Dictionary
un•der•gird
Pronunciation: (un"dur-gûrd'), [key]—
v.t., -gird•ed or -girt, -gird•ing.
1. to strengthen; secure, as by passing a rope or chain under and around:
to undergird a top-heavy load.
2. to give fundamental support; provide with a sound or secure basis:
ethics undergirded by faith. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.