1. (v. t.) To insure; to guarantee funding; as to underwrite the production of a film; to subscribe.
2. (v. t.) To subscribe one's name to for insurance, especially for marine insurance; to write one's name under, or set one's name to, as a policy of insurance, for the purpose of becoming answerable for loss or damage, on consideration of receiving a certain premium per cent; as, individuals, as well as companies, may underwrite policies of insurance.
3. (v. i.) To practice the business of insuring; to take a risk of insurance on a vessel or the like.
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