underlying
verb
[ ʌndəˈlʌɪɪŋ ]
• present participle of underlie.
underlying
adjective
• significant as a cause or basis of something but not necessarily manifest or obvious.
• "the flu can be particularly severe for the elderly and those with underlying conditions"
• lying or situated under something.
• "the underlying muscles of the face"
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).
