underlie
verb (used with object)
to lie under or beneath; be situated under.
had underlain
-
past perfectof underlie.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The quiet, inassailable knowledge of this truth had underlain Tanqueray's most irritable utterances.
From The Creators A Comedy by May Sinclair
She suspected that Grizel was forcing herself to talk, to ease the strain, which like a low rumble of thunder had underlain the peace of the last week.
From Lady Cassandra by Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
The sternness that had underlain the King's manner rose slowly and spread over the whole surface of his person, as he drew himself up in towering offence.
From The Ward of King Canute; a romance of the Danish conquest by Ottilie A. (Ottilia Adelina) Liljencrantz
Often their summits, worn down by frosts and rains, disclose the core of rock which, ages before, then hot and fluid, had underlain the crust and bent it upward into mountain form.
From The Book of the National Parks by Robert Sterling Yard
It had underlain the loudness and abuse of his words which she had overheard.
From The Indian Drum by Edwin Balmer
