| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective
Etymology: from present participle of underlie
1.
a. : lying under or beneath
the underlying strata
b. : implicit , fundamental
underlying principles
2. : innate or organic but evident only on close inspection
underlying identity about the motley immigrants
3. : anterior and prior in claim
underlying mortgage