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undermine

v.
US //ˈəndɝˌmaɪn// UK //ˌʌndəmˈaɪn// un·der·mine
  1. 1 philosophy of objects (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Academic Technical Science

    to explain a thing by only looking at the smaller parts that make it up.

    to reduce an object to its component parts or sub-entities, denying its autonomous reality as a whole.

    Example

    Some thinkers undermine the idea of a 'table' by saying it is just a collection of atoms.

    Example

    In object-oriented ontology, to undermine an object is to claim it is nothing more than the sum of its constituent pieces.

    Usage

    Used specifically within the framework of Object-Oriented Ontology (OOO).
    • overmine
Origin

From under- + mine.

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