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present participle and gerund of underpin examples
plural underpinnings
A support or foundation, especially as a structure of masonry that supports a wall. quotations examples
Released were two singles that went nowhere fast; the third, "Early Morning Love" (#68, 1974), was a teasing male fantasy with a folkie feel and countrified pedal-steel guitar underpinnings.
1990, Wayne Jancik, The Billboard Book of One-Hit Wonders, page 319
(figurative) A basis for something. examples
(figurative, humorous) The lower body or legs. quotations examples
Thinks I to myself, “Sol, you're run off your course again. This is a rich man's summer ‘cottage’ and if you don't look out there's likely to be some nice, lively dog taking an interest in your underpinning.”
1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt's Patients