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underlying

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The definition of underlying refers to something lying beneath, or the basic or root cause of something.

(adjective)

A layer of minerals in the soil is an example of underlying minerals.
A lack of educational opportunity is an example of an underlying cause of poverty.

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See underlying in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

lying under; placed beneath
fundamental; basic: the underlying cause
really there but not easily seen or noticed: an underlying trend
Finance having priority, as a claim

See underlying in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Lying under or beneath something: underlying strata.
Basic; fundamental.
Present but not obvious; implicit: an underlying meaning.
Taking precedence; prior: an underlying financial claim.

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