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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Underwork

Ŭn'der-work', v. t.

verbtransitive

(ŭn'der-wŭrk'), v. t. [imp. & p. p. UNDERWORKED, or UNDERWROUGHT; p. pr. & vb. n. UNDERWORKING.]

Sense 1. To do like work at a less price than; as, one mason may underwork another; a shoemaker can not underwork a joiner.

Sense 2. To undermine; to destroy by clandestine measures.

But thou from loving England art so far, That thou hast underwrought its lawful king. Shak.

Ŭn’der-work’, v. i.

verbintransitive

(ŭn’der-wûrk’), v. i.

  1. To work or labor upon less, or for a less price than is sufficient or proper.
  2. To work or operate in secret or clandestinely. [Rare.] B. Jonson.