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Definition of underlie in English:

underlie

Translate underlie into Spanish

transitive verbtransitive verb underlies, transitive verb underlying, underlay, underlain

[with object]

  • 1Be a significant cause or basis of (something) even if not necessarily manifest or obvious.

    ‘the fundamental issue that underlies the conflict’
    • ‘the fear of loss underlay his extreme jealousy’

  • 2(especially of a layer of rock or soil) lie or be situated under (something)

    • ‘limestone underlies much of the site’

Pronunciation

underlie

/ˌəndərˈlī/ /ˌəndərˈlaɪ/

Origin

Old English underlicgan ‘be subject or subordinate to’ (see under-, lie).