Main Entry: un·der·lie

Pronunciation: \-ˈlī\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): un·der·lay \-ˈlā\; un·der·lain \-ˈlān\; un·der·ly·ing \-ˈlī-iŋ\

Date: before 12th century

1 archaic : to be subject or amenable to
2 : to lie or be situated under
3 : to be at the basis of : form the foundation of : support <ideas underlying the revolution>
4 : to exist as a claim or security superior and prior to (another)