underlie

[ uhn-der-lahy ]

verb (used with object)

, un·der·lay, un·der·lain, un·der·ly·ing.

1. to lie under or beneath; be situated under.
2. to be at the basis of; form the foundation of.
3. Grammar. to function as the root morpheme or original or basic form of (a derived form):

   The form “boy” underlies “boyish.”

4. Finance. to be primary to another right or security.

underlie

/ ˌʌndəˈlaɪ /

verb

1. to lie or be placed under or beneath
2. to be the foundation, cause, or basis of

   careful planning underlies all our decisions

3. finance to take priority over (another claim, liability, mortgage, etc)

   a first mortgage underlies a second

4. to be the root or stem from which (a word) is derived

   "happy" underlies "happiest"

Derived Forms

• ˈunderˌlier, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of underlie¹

before 900; Middle English underlyen (v.), Old English underlicgan. See under-, lie ²

Example Sentences

But just as we can’t outrun the laws of physics that underlie global warming, we can’t afford more delay in ending the dangerous burning of fossil fuels.

From Los Angeles Times

This is the power of coatings – they radically transform the functionality and capabilities of an underlying material.

From BBC

The brain circuitry underlying memory is widely known to differ based on biological sex, but sex-based drivers of aging and AD are still unclear.

From Science Daily

The authors hope their findings inspire more research into underlying biological differences.

From Science Daily

The peacebuilding process attempted to lessen poverty and improve communities' livelihoods, but Nepal's communities faced significant difficulties due to the persistence of the underlying causes of the civil war combined with climate change impacts.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• control
• curb
• decide
• determine
• dominate
• guide
• handle
• inhibit
• manage
• regulate
• rule