'Underlie' definitions:

Definition of 'underlie'

(from WordNet)
verb
Be or form the base for
verb
Lie underneath

Definition of 'Underlie'

From: GCIDE
  • Underlie \Un`der*lie"\, v. i. To lie below or under. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Underlie'

From: GCIDE
  • Underlie \Un"der*lie`\, n. See Underlay, n., 1. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Underlie'

From: GCIDE
  • Underlie \Un`der*lie"\, v. t. [AS. underlicgan. See Under, and Lie to be prostrate.]
  • 1. To lie under; to rest beneath; to be situated under; as, a stratum of clay underlies the surface gravel. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To be at the basis of; to form the foundation of; to support; as, a doctrine underlying a theory. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To be subject or amenable to. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • The knight of Ivanhoe . . . underlies the challenge of Brian der Bois Guilbert. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'underlie'

From: GCIDE
  • Underlay \Un"der*lay`\, n.
  • 1. (Mining) The inclination of a vein, fault, or lode from the vertical; a hade; -- called also underlie. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Print.) A thickness of paper, pasteboard, or the like, placed under a cut, or stereotype plate, or under type, in the form, to bring it, or any part of it, to the proper height; also, something placed back of a part of the tympan, so as to secure the right impression. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'underlie'

From: Moby Thesaurus