underlaid

[uhn-der-leyd]

adjective

1. placed or laid underneath, as a foundation or substratum.

2. having an underneath layer (often followed bywith ).

   a lace tablecloth underlaid with damask; courtesy underlaid with reserve.

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of underlay.

underlaid

/ ˌʌndəˈleɪd /

adjective

1. laid underneath

2. having an underlay or supporting layer underneath

verb

1. the past tense and past participle of underlay

Word History and Origins

Origin of underlaid¹

before 1100; late Old English under lede (not recorded in ME); under-, laid

Example Sentences

The clip was underlaid by fawning discussion of his “mythical” rise from the outer boroughs to the White House.

From Salon

A key scene comes toward the end, when Sister Mary invites Bill in and they have what appears to be a mundane discussion but one that is underlaid with a threat.

From Los Angeles Times

Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, the lone conservative to join his three progressive colleagues in opposing the court’s decision on Tuesday, was right to point out the flimsy legal basis that underlaid the order.

From Washington Post

For the British, World War I was fought close to home, and there’s still a mood of giddy survival underlaid by terrible loss.

From Seattle Times

Political observers say the schism between the two seems to be underlaid by a complicated mix of personal disdain and policy differences.

From New York Times