understructure

English

Etymology

From under- +‎ structure.

Pronunciation

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Noun

understructure (plural understructures)

1. The supporting structure underneath something, such as a vehicle or bridge.

   Antonym: superstructure

   Holonym: infrastructure (facilities sense)

   Near-synonyms: infrastructure (foundations sense), underpinnings

   • 2008 January 22, Kirk Johnson, “Strength Renewed, a Grand Old Building Is Back”, in New York Times‎:

     Four small suspension bridges, complete with towers and cables like those on the span across the East River, are now encased inside the Capitol’s subbasement understructure.

Anagrams

• unrestructured