Meaning Of Underlie

v. t.

To lie under; to rest beneath; to be situated under; as, a stratum of clay underlies the surface gravel.

v. t.

To be at the basis of; to form the foundation of; to support; as, a doctrine underlying a theory.

v. t.

To be subject or amenable to.

v. i.

To lie below or under.

n.

See Underlay, n., 1.