Dictionary definitions
- Enter a word for the dictionary definition.
underlying
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
underlying \un`der*ly"ing\, a.
1. Lying under or beneath; as, the underlying strata of a
locality.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence: Fundamental; basic; as, underlying principles;
underlying causes.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
3. Implicit; not immediately obvious; requiring careful
scrutiny to discover; as, the underlying sarcasm in her
seemingly innocuous remark..
[PJC]
