underdraw

[ uhn-der-draw ]

verb (used with object)

, un·der·drew, un·der·drawn, un·der·draw·ing.

1. to line the underside of (a structure, as a floor) with plasterwork, boarding, or the like.

Word History and Origins

Origin of underdraw¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; under- + draw

Example Sentences

While some states overdraw, the others underdraw.

From New York Times

Underdraw, un-dėr-draw′, v.t. to represent inadequately in art, or by words.

From Project Gutenberg

Half-crippled already and at least one-third full of water, she was in no trim to dodge the underdraw of the sloping bows of an empty barge, at the worst hour of ebb-tide.

From Project Gutenberg

They give no chance to the second man to leap into the boat, so deep has he to go, pushing on until the pads are out and the boat controlled; but he has barely time to feel the underdraw of the recoiling wave when the straight scour of a keel comes down along the sand and pebbles—the Ellen Jane, St. Sennans—half-pushed, half-borne by a crew three minutes have extemporised.

From Project Gutenberg