understructure

plural understructures

1. The supporting structure underneath something, such as a vehicle or bridge.

   Holonym: infrastructure (facilities sense)

   2 more examples

   Near-synonyms: infrastructure (foundations sense), underpinnings

   Four small suspension bridges, complete with towers and cables like those on the span across the East River, are now encased inside the Capitol’s subbasement understructure.

   2008 January 22, Kirk Johnson, “Strength Renewed, a Grand Old Building Is Back”, in New York Times

   Synonyms: infrastructure, underpinning · Antonyms: overstructure, superstructure

present singular third person understructures · participle present understructuring · participle past understructured · past understructured

1. transitiveTo structure insufficiently or inadequately.

   Antonyms: overstructure