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underlie

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Underlie is defined as to be under, or be the grounds for something.

(verb)

An example of underlie is laying under the shade of a tree.
An example of underlie is a birth being the reason why someone is receiving a gift.

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See underlie in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb underlay, underlain, underlying

to lie under or beneath: trusses underlie the roof
to be the basis for; form the foundation of
Finance to have priority over (another) in order of claim, as a bond

Origin: ME underlien < OE underlicgan

See underlie in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb un·der·lay (-lāˈ), un·der·lain (-lānˈ), un·der·ly·ing, un·der·lies

To be located under or below.
To be the support or basis of; account for: Many factors underlie my decision.
To constitute a prior financial claim over: Dividends for preferred stock underlie those of common stock.

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