Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
underhand
underhanded
underhung
underinsure
underlain
underlay (1)
underlay (2)
underlet
underlie
underline
underlinen
underling
underlip
underlying
undermentioned
undermine
undermost
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "underlie" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

underlie

un·der·lie [ ùndər l ] (past un·der·lay [ ùndər láy ], past participle un·der·lain [ ùndər láyn ], present participle un·der·ly·ing, 3rd person present singular un·der·lies)


transitive verb 
Definition:
 
1. lie beneath something: to lie or be put under something else

2. be foundation of something: to be the basis or cause of something
the assumptions that underlie this argument

3. finance have financial priority over something: to take priority over other financial rights or securities
This claim underlies yours.


Word Usage

See underlay1.

Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft