ondergraven — meaning in English

English meaning

• sap noun The watery fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying nutrients.
• subvert verb To weaken or destroy an established system, authority, or institution, often secretly.
• undermine verb To weaken support or confidence gradually, often secretly.

Senses

ondergraven is used for these senses in English:

• sap (transitive) To subvert by digging or wearing away; to mine; to undermine; to destroy the foundation of.
• sap (intransitive) To proceed by mining, or by secretly undermining; to execute saps.
• subvert (transitive) To upturn convention from the foundation by undermining it (literally, to turn from beneath).
• undermine (figuratively) To weaken or work against; to hinder, sabotage. [from 15th c.]

sap — full definition

1. noun The watery fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying nutrients.
2. noun A gullible or easily fooled person.
3. verb To gradually drain someone's strength, energy, or resolve.
4. noun A small, weighted club, often leather-covered, used as a hand weapon.

Related Dutch words