'underlying' definitions:
Definition of 'underlying'
(from WordNet)
adjective
In the nature of something though not readily apparent; "shortcomings inherent in our approach"; "an underlying meaning" [syn: implicit in(p), inherent, underlying]
adjective
Located beneath or below
adjective
Being or involving basic facts or principles; "the fundamental laws of the universe"; "a fundamental incomatibility between them"; "these rudimentary truths"; "underlying principles" [syn: fundamental, rudimentary, underlying]
Definition of 'underlying'
From: GCIDE
- underlying \un`der*ly"ing\, a.
- 1. Lying under or beneath; as, the underlying strata of a locality. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Hence: Fundamental; basic; as, underlying principles; underlying causes. [1913 Webster +PJC]
- 3. Implicit; not immediately obvious; requiring careful scrutiny to discover; as, the underlying sarcasm in her seemingly innocuous remark.. [PJC]
Synonyms of 'underlying'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- ab ovo,
- basal,
- basic,
- basilar,
- between the lines,
- bottom,
- cardinal,
- constituent,
- constitutive,
- covert,
- critical,
- crucial,
- cryptic,
- delitescent,
- dormant,
- elemental,
- elementary,
- esoteric,
- essential,
- foundational,
- fundamental,
- gut,
- hibernating,
- hidden,
- indispensable,
- latent,
- lurking,
- material,
- muffled,
- mystic,
- necessary,
- needful,
- obfuscated,
- obscured,
- occult,
- of the essence,
- original,
- possible,
- potential,
- primal,
- primary,
- primitive,
- radical,
- rudimentary,
- sleeping,
- submerged,
- substantial,
- substantive,
- under the surface,
- unmanifested,
- veiled,
- virtual,
- vital