underpinner
Structural base strengthener
An underpinner is someone who underpins—provides support or foundation for something.
The term appears most often in construction, where an underpinner strengthens or stabilizes existing foundations by extending them deeper into the ground.
Figuratively, an underpinner is anyone who provides essential support: She was the underpinner of the whole operation.
Strengthen or buttress
- buttressArchitectural wall reinforcement
- strengthenMake more robust
- reinforceAdd strength to something
- stabilizeMake firm or constant
shore · prop · brace · anchor · secure · consolidate · fortify · uphold
Temporary exterior work platform
- shoringTemporary structural support
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- masonryBuilding with mortared blocks
- brickworkConstruction from fired blocks
basement · cellar · footing · substructure · excavation · jacking · propping · beam
bolster
Strengthen or buttress
- buttressArchitectural wall reinforcement
- strengthenMake more robust
- reinforceAdd strength to something
stabilize · shore · prop · brace · anchor · secure · consolidate · fortify · uphold · sustain
scaffolding
Temporary exterior work platform
- shoringTemporary structural support
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- masonryBuilding with mortared blocks
brickwork · basement · cellar · footing · substructure · excavation · jacking · propping · beam · lintel
underpinnerdemolisher
One who destroys structures
destroyer · wrecker · underminer · destabilizer · dismantler
underpinnerunderminer
One who weakens covertly
subverter · destabilizer · debunker · detractor · critic
- philosophical underpinningsFoundational concepts and assumptions