underbear

English

Etymology

From Middle English underberen (“to support”), from Old English underberan (“to support, endure”), equivalent to under- + beran (“to bear”). More at under-, bear.

Verb

underbear (third-person singular simple present underbears, present participle underbearing, simple past underbore, underbare, past participle underborne)

1. To support, endure.
2. (of cloth) To line, guard or face a material, especially cloth.
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act 3 Scene 4

     cloth of gold underborne with blue tinsel

Derived terms

• underbearer