underlying Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb be or form the base for
    underlie.
  2. verb lie underneath
    underlie.
  3. adjective satellite in the nature of something though not readily apparent
    inherent; implicit in.
    • shortcomings inherent in our approach
    • an underlying meaning
  4. adjective satellite located beneath or below
  5. adjective satellite being or involving basic facts or principles
    rudimentary; fundamental.
    • the fundamental laws of the universe
    • a fundamental incomatibility between them
    • these rudimentary truths
    • underlying principles

WordNet


Un`der*ly"ing adjective
Definitions
  1. Lying under or beneath; hence, fundamental; as, the underlying strata of a locality; underlying principles.

Webster 1913