Word of the Day: UNDERMINE

Destroy gradually or secretly

undermine (verb) - to subvert, weaken, or erode, often gradually and in secret; to damage or destroy the foundations of something [uhn-der-mahyn]

BREAKDOWN: The word undermine has a much more straightforward origin than most of the vocabulary we explore here: it literally means to mine under something. The English word mine meaning to dig into the earth comes from Old French. While undermine can be used to describe actually mining under a structure to weaken it, the word is more often applied to insidious efforts to sabotage or subvert a person or organization.

“Try to avoid complaints. Self-pity even when legitimate never fails to undermine your strength.” —Mariane Pearl

[Our Wednesday Wildcards are fascinating and important words that are not necessarily derived from classical roots.]