— underminer , n. — underminingly , adv.
/un'deuhr muyn"/ or, esp. for 1, 2, 4, /un"deuhr muyn'/ , v.t., undermined, undermining .
1. to injure or destroy by insidious activity or imperceptible stages, sometimes tending toward a sudden dramatic effect.
2. to attack by indirect, secret, or underhand means; attempt to subvert by stealth.
3. to make an excavation under; dig or tunnel beneath, as a military stronghold.
4. to weaken or cause to collapse by removing underlying support, as by digging away or eroding the foundation.
[ 1300-50; ME underminen. See UNDER-, MINE 2 ]