underlay

[ verb uhn-der-ley; noun uhn-der-ley ]

verb (used with object)

, un·der·laid, un·der·lay·ing.

1. to lay under or beneath.
2. to provide with something laid underneath; raise or support with something laid underneath:

   The manufacturer underlays the chrome finish with a zinc coating.

3. to extend across the bottom of.

noun

1. something underlaid.
2. Printing. a piece or pieces of paper put under type or cuts to bring them to the proper height for printing.

underlay

verb

1. to place (something) under or beneath
2. to support by something laid beneath
3. to achieve the correct printing pressure all over (a forme block) or to bring (a block) up to type height by adding material, such as paper, to the appropriate areas beneath it

noun

1. a layer, lining, support, etc, laid underneath something else
2. printing material, such as paper, used to underlay a forme or block
3. felt, rubber, etc, laid beneath a carpet to increase insulation and resilience

Word History and Origins

Origin of underlay¹

before 900; Middle English underleyen, Old English underlecgan; under-, lay ¹

Example Sentences

California created an orchard for the world in large part by tapping into prehistoric aquifers that underlay the Central Valley.

From Los Angeles Times

The turf was intended to function as an underlay for a plastic liner atop it as part of a construction project.

From Seattle Times

Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, the lone conservative to join his three progressive colleagues in opposing the court’s decision on Tuesday, was right to point out the flimsy legal basis that underlaid the order.

From Washington Post

The need for “reparative work” to correct housing inequities underlay planners’ recommendations to add more affordable housing types in the Chevy Chase area of upper Northwest Washington, Cozart said.

From Washington Post

At Saturday’s performance, which was livestreamed, the use of an organ, played by Avi Stein, as opposed to a harpsichord, provided a mellow, cloudlike underlay.

From New York Times