underlying

4 ENTRIES FOUND:

un·der·ly·ing

adj \ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ\

Definition of UNDERLYING

1
a : lying beneath or below <the underlying rock is shale> b : basic, fundamental <an investigation of the underlying issues>
2
: evident only on close inspection : implicit
3
: anterior and prior in claim <underlying mortgage>
4
: of or being present in deep structure <underlying word order>

Examples of UNDERLYING

  1. the ocean and the underlying rock
  2. <the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship>

First Known Use of UNDERLYING

1611

Rhymes with UNDERLYING

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