underdo

English

Etymology

From Middle English underdon, from Old English underdōn (“to put under”), from Proto-Germanic *under + *dōną (“to put”). Equivalent to under- +‎ do. Cognate with German unterthun (“to put under, subject”).

Pronunciation

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Verb

underdo (third-person singular simple present underdoes, present participle underdoing, simple past underdid, past participle underdone)

1. (transitive, obsolete) To put under, subject.
2. (transitive) To do something insufficiently; especially to undercook.
3. (intransitive) To act below one's abilities; do less than one can.
4. (intransitive) To do less than is requisite.

Anagrams

• redound, rounded