un·der·pin /ˌʌndəˈpɪn $ -ər-/ ●○○ verb (underpinned, underpinning) [transitiveT] 1 PROVEto give strength or support to something and to help it succeed 巩固,支持 the theories that underpin his teaching method 支持他的教学方法的理论
America’s wealth is underpinned by a global system which exploits the world’s poor. 美国的财富是靠一个剥削全世界穷人的全球体系来支撑的。
2. STRONG OBJECT technical to put a solid piece of metal under a wall or house in order to make it stronger 加固〔墙体或房屋〕的地基 —underpinning noun [countableC, uncountableU]