Overgirds

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To provide fundamental support or strength that underlies and holds up something else
2. To act as the foundational support or structural strength beneath an object or concept
3. To supply the crucial backing or reinforcement necessary to sustain or uphold a structure or idea

Etymology: "Overgirds" is the third-person singular present form of "overgird," so the verb itself is simply the older verb "gird" with the prefix "over-" added. "Gird" goes back to Old English "gyrdan," meaning to fasten a belt or girdle around the waist, and the sense of binding something tight around its middle is still visible in the verb's core. Adding "over-" gives the idea of passing a band across or around something from above or beyond, so that the reinforcement is applied over the top of an existing frame. The figurative sense, supplying support that holds a structure or argument together, grows naturally from that physical image of a belt that stops a load from splitting apart. A thing that is overgirded is braced by something placed around it, much as a ship or a barrel was once strengthened with external bands.

Synonyms: support, reinforce, strengthen, secure, fortify

Antonyms: weaken, undermine, diminish, impair, degrade