Dictionary
underlying
adjective un·der·ly·ing \ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ\
—used to identify the idea, cause, problem, etc., that forms the basis of something
: lying under or below something
Full Definition of UNDERLYING
1
a : lying beneath or below <the underlying rock is shale> b : basic, fundamental <an investigation of the underlying issues>
2
: evident only on close inspection : implicit
3
: anterior and prior in claim <underlying mortgage>
4
: of or being present in deep structure <underlying word order>
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First Known Use of UNDERLYING
1611
Related to UNDERLYING
- Synonyms
- abecedarian, basal, basic, beginning, elemental, essential, fundamental, introductory, meat-and-potatoes, rudimental, rudimentary, elementary
- Antonyms
- advanced
Rhymes with UNDERLYING
Medical Dictionary
underlying
adjective un·der·ly·ing \-ˌlī-iŋ\
Medical Definition of UNDERLYING
: serving as a basis or cause (as of secondary symptoms) <the underlying brain malformation that caused the hydrocephalus—R. M. Henig>
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