subjacent

American  

[suhb-jey-suhnt] / sʌbˈdʒeɪ sənt /

adjective

1. situated or occurring underneath or below; underlying.

2. forming a basis.

3. lower than but not directly under something.

---

subjacent British  

/ sʌbˈdʒeɪsənt /

adjective

1. forming a foundation; underlying

2. lower than though not directly below

   tall peaks and their subjacent valley

---

Other Word Forms

• subjacency noun
• subjacently adverb

Etymology

Origin of subjacent

1590–1600; < Latin subjacent- (stem of subjacēns ), present participle of subjacēre to underlie, equivalent to sub- sub- + jac ( ēre ) to lie + -ent- -ent

Example Sentences

The subjacent rocks consist of alternations of black slate, limestone, and serpentine.

From Principles of Geology or, The Modern Changes of the Earth and its Inhabitants Considered as Illustrative of Geology by Lyell, Charles, Sir

Folkstone, the sea undermines the chalk and subjacent strata.

From Principles of Geology or, The Modern Changes of the Earth and its Inhabitants Considered as Illustrative of Geology by Lyell, Charles, Sir

These higher details we find, for instance, in the turn of the inner end of the eyebrow, or constriction and elevation of the under eyelid, or a hundred other traits dependant on subjacent muscles.

From Beauty Illustrated Chiefly by an Analysis and Classificatin of Beauty in Woman by Walker, Alexander

The pebbles and larger masses of the conglomerate are quartzite, like that of the subjacent beds, and demonstrate the source of at least some of the material of the younger formation.

From The Geography of the Region about Devils Lake and the Dalles of the Wisconsin by Atwood, Wallace W.

The central cavity, or valley, exposes to view the subjacent formation c, fig.

From Principles of Geology or, The Modern Changes of the Earth and its Inhabitants Considered as Illustrative of Geology by Lyell, Charles, Sir