View synonyms for underlie

underlie

[ uhn-der-lahy ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

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

to lie under or beneath; be situated under.
to be at the basis of; form the foundation of.
Grammar. to function as the root morpheme or original or basic form of (a derived form):
The form “boy” underlies “boyish.”
Finance. to be primary to another right or security.

underlie

/ ˌʌndəˈlaɪ /

to lie or be placed under or beneath
to be the foundation, cause, or basis of
careful planning underlies all our decisions
finance to take priority over (another claim, liability, mortgage, etc)
a first mortgage underlies a second
to be the root or stem from which (a word) is derived
"happy" underlies "happiest"

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

Layers of history underlie most areas, and bones show up in the most inconvenient of building sites.

Now, in the first study of its kind, neuroscientists have pinpointed the brain circuits that underlie unrealistic optimism.

The concept of impulse control comes from a better understanding of the brain mechanisms that underlie self-restraint.

These two wonderful products of Newton's genius underlie the whole structure of modern astronomy and modern mechanics.

The line of her long underlie drawn sharp to check her tears, stopped her speaking.

It is now engaged in discovering the unseen causes which underlie the objective effects we notice in the physical world.

At all events, two quite distinct views seem to underlie the opening books of the Old Testament.

Similar fundamental factors underlie the last great cultural change.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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