Undermine
/ˌʌn.dɪˈmaɪn/noun
To weaken or damage something gradually or secretly.
Did you know?The concept of undermining harks back to ancient warfare strategies, where digging tunnels beneath fortifications was a common tactic to weaken defenses.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*men-
“to think, to remember, to have in mind.”
Old English
Old English
undermynan
“to weaken by digging beneath, to attack secretly.”
Middle English
Middle English
underminen
“to damage or weaken, especially by secret means.”
16th Century
English
undermine
“to weaken, especially gradually or insidiously.”
Modern English
English
undermine
“to weaken or harm, especially in a covert manner.”