UNDERWRITE

v. (past -wrote; past part. -written) 1 a tr. sign, and accept liability under (an insurance policy, esp. on shipping etc.). b tr. accept (liability) in this way. c intr. practice (marine) insurance. 2 tr. undertake to finance or support. 3 tr. engage to buy all the stock in (a company etc.) not bought by the public. 4 tr. write below (the underwritten names). underwriter n.