understructure
1
7.3
- noun
- /ˈʌndərˌstrʌkʧər/
- Specialized
:
subestructura
- Some eight hours after the free-fall collapse of the first two structures, Building 7 collapsed to the ground in almost free-fall speed, which some architects and engineers say is suggestive that the massive understructure of the buildings was somehow being destroyed as the much smaller upper floors were descending.
Examples
-
The understructure of witty poems is the ironic play of the metaphors latent in the roots of the words.
Academic text (1994) -
Was she trapped in the café's understructure?
Fiction book (1999) -
The place looks like they forgot to put a ceiling on it and added pads to cover the corrugated understructure.
Blog text (16) -
They really kind of represent the understructure of what we’re talking about.
Blog text (4) -
In performance, the head is fixed to a rod and makes its appearance out of the front end of a bamboo understructure, which is completely covered with grass or textiles.
Academic text (1994) -
The engineer designed a strong understructure to support the weight of the skyscraper above.
-
To ensure stability, the builder reinforced the understructure before adding the upper floors.
-
The ancient temple's understructure was made of large stones that had stood the test of time.
Synonyms
204
1.0
The bottom part that supports something, for example an organ or object
127
3.6
The lowest part of a building that supports and spreads its weight
6
5.7
A wide base under a building that spreads its weight
4
7.2
The parts under a building or system that hold it up
1
5.6
Work to strengthen the foundation of a building
1
8.9
A layer under something that forms its base, like rock under ruins
The lowest part of a building that supports it
A hidden part under a vehicle or machine that gives it strength
Antonyms
How Strong
- Specialized
12
4.7
- Specialized
127
3.6
- Specialized
1
7.3
204
1.0
141
1.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Understructure comes from the parts under meaning 'below' and structure meaning 'building' or 'support'. So, an understructure is the base or foundation that lies under and holds up the main part of a building.