Undersign: meaning, definitions and examples
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undersign
[ ˌʌndərˈsaɪn ]
legal document
To undersign means to sign one's name at the end of a document, thereby indicating agreement or consent to the terms contained within. This action is often found in legal contexts where the signatory is acknowledging that they understand and accept the provisions of a contract. In some cases, an undersign may also be required as part of formal agreements or transactions, reinforcing the validity and enforceability of the document. In today’s digital age, undersigning can occur electronically, through digital signatures, which hold the same legal weight as traditional handwritten signatures.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Please undersign the contract to finalize the agreement.
- She was asked to undersign the legal papers before her clients.
- The committee members were required to undersign the proposal to show their approval.
Etymology
The term 'undersign' originates from the combination of the prefix 'under-', meaning below or beneath, and 'sign', which derives from the Latin word 'signare', meaning to mark, to sign, or to indicate. As a term in legal parlance, it evolved in the 18th century, where it appeared in the context of formal documents requiring signatures. It implies a visual or physical indication of consent that is placed beneath the main body of text in a legal document, signifying that one has acknowledged and accepted the conditions stated above. The use of the term has expanded into various bureaucratic and official processes, where the act of undersigning not only presents an individual's agreement but also serves as a traceable endorsement of the enclosed assertions or obligations.