UNDERLIE


Meaning of UNDERLIE in English

/ ˌʌndəˈlaɪ; NAmE ˌʌndərˈlaɪ/ verb

( under·lying , under·lay / -ˈleɪ; NAmE / under·lain / -ˈleɪn; NAmE /) [ vn ] [ no passive ] ( formal ) to be the basis or cause of sth :

These ideas underlie much of his work.

It is a principle that underlies all the party's policies.

—see also underlying

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WORD ORIGIN

Old English underlicgan be subject or subordinate to (from under- , lie (I)).

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.