Underbound

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Not furnished with a protective cover or binding, as a book or manuscript left in its raw pages
2. Lacking a bound cover or case, as printed sheets or documents that remain unstitched and uncased
3. Without binding or a protective covering, describing pages or sections of text that are loose or unfinished

Etymology: "Underbound" is a plain compound: the prefix "under-" joined to "bound," the past participle of "bind." Its meaning follows the logic of its parts. Where "bound" describes something tied or fastened, "underbound" describes something held together by too little binding, or fastened less tightly than the job requires. The prefix "under-" carries the sense of "beneath" or "insufficient," as in "undercook" or "underpaid."

Synonyms: undersized

Antonyms: overbound