undercut

English

Etymology

From under- +‎ cut.

Noun

undercut (plural undercuts)

1. A cut made in the lower part of something; the material so removed.
2. The notch cut in a tree to direct its fall when being felled.
3. The underside of a sirloin of beef; the fillet.

Verb

undercut (third-person singular simple present undercuts, present participle undercutting, simple past and past participle undercut)

1. To sell (something) at a lower price, or to work for lower wages, than a competitor.
2. To create an overhang by cutting away material from underneath.
3. To undermine.
   • July 18 2012, Scott Tobias, AV Club The Dark Knight Rises[1]

     Though Bane’s sing-song voice gives his pronouncements a funny lilt, he doesn’t have any of the Joker’s deranged wit, and Nolan isn’t interested in undercutting his seriousness for the sake of a breezier entertainment.