under-lied

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.

Origin:
before 900; Middle English underlyen (v.), Old English underlicgan. See under-, lie²

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source

Link To under-lied

Relevant Questions

What Is Lying Under Oath...

00:10

Under-lied is always a great word to know.

So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:

an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

a fool or simpleton; ninny.

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Collins

World English Dictionary

underlie (ˌʌndəˈlaɪ)

—vb , -lies, -lying, -lay, -lain
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"

'underlier

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

underlie

O.E. under licgan "to be subordinate to, to submit to;" see under + lie (v.2). Meaning "to lie under or beneath" is attested from 1600; fig. sense of "to be the basis of" is attested from 1852 (implied in underlying).

Matching Quote

"For most visitors to Manhattan, both foreign and domestic, New York is the Shrine of the Good Time. "I don't see how you stand it," they often say to the native New Yorker who has been sitting up past his bedtime for a week in an attempt to tire his guest out. "It's all right for a week or so, but give me the little old home town when it comes to living." And, under his breath, the New Yorker endorses the transfer and wonders himself how he stands it."

-Robert Benchley

Partners:Word Bloglines Citysearch The Daily Beast Ask Answers Ask Kids Life123 Sendori Home Advisor

About PRIVACY POLICY Terms API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Suggest a Word Help

under-lied

un·der·lie