underlie

Definition of Underlie in English :

1. underlie

be or form the base for

2. underlie

lie underneath

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Underlie

verb -lies, -lying, -lay or -lain (transitive)

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"

verb transitiveWord forms: ˌunderˈlay, ˌunderˈlain, ˌunderˈlying

1.

to lie under or beneath

trusses underlie the roof

2.

to be the basis for; form the foundation of

3. Finance

to have priority over (another) in order of claim, as a bond

tr.v. un·der·lay (-lā), un·der·lain (-lān), un·der·ly·ing, un·der·lies

1. To be located under or below.

2. To be the support or basis of; account for: Many factors underlie my decision.

3. To constitute a prior claim over.