Underdrawn

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having a bank account with a balance that is below zero or less than the needed minimum, often causing insufficient funds
2. Describing an account situation where withdrawals exceed available funds, resulting in a negative or overdraft balance
3. Referring to a financial state in which the cash balance is drawn down beyond the authorized limit or into the negative

Etymology: The verb behind "underdrawn" comes from Middle English "underdrawen", built from the prefix under- and "draw". Its literal sense is to draw beneath something, and the past participle inherits that sense. Painters use the idea directly: an underdrawing is a sketch laid down on the ground or canvas before the paint goes on, so the drawing is literally hidden under the finished surface. The meaning given in your request, a bank balance that has fallen below zero, belongs to "overdrawn". The prefix over- ("above, beyond") fits that sense, while under- points to something lying beneath, which explains why the two words mean different things.

Synonyms: underlined