I.
past of underlie
II. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English underleyen, underleggen, from Old English underlecgan, from under (I) + lecgan to lay — more at lay
1. : to cover, line, or traverse the bottom of
underlay the Atlantic with a cable
: give support to on the underside or below : place a line or layer beneath or inside of — used with with
slates underlaid with roofing paper
underlay the pavement with traprock
2.
a. : to raise or support by something laid under
underlay a cut to bring it up to the right height for printing
b. obsolete : to put a tap on (a shoe)
III. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1. : something that is laid under: as
a. : a piece of leather or other material placed between the outside and the lining of a shoe upper beneath a cutout or perforation
b. : a thickness of paper placed under type or a cut to bring it up to the proper height for printing — compare overlay
c. : a contrasting facing or lining used especially with sheer fabrics
d. : material placed under flooring or carpeting for insulation or reducing noise and wear
2. : a basic trend not evident upon the surface : undercurrent
beneath all the wild rumors there was an underlay of fact