underlay
verb
• place something under (something else), especially to support or raise it.
• "the green fields are underlaid with limestone"
underlay
noun
• something placed under or behind something else, especially material laid under a carpet for protection or support.
• "providing the proper underlay gives the carpet extra life"
• the manner in which the words are fitted to the notes of a piece of vocal music.
Origin:
Old English underlecgan (see under-, lay1).
underlay
verb
• past of underlie.
underlie
verb
• be a significant cause or basis of (something) even if not necessarily manifest or obvious.
• "the fundamental issue that underlies the conflict"
Similar:
fundamental,
basic,
basal,
primary,
prime,
first,
cardinal,
central,
principal,
chief,
key,
elementary,
elemental,
rudimentary,
root,
intrinsic,
essential,
• (especially of a layer of rock or soil) lie or be situated under (something).
• "limestone underlies much of the site"
Origin:
Old English underlicgan ‘be subject or subordinate to’ (see under-, lie1).
