underlay

American  

[uhn-der-ley, uhn-der-ley] / ˌʌn dərˈleɪ, ˈʌn dərˌleɪ /

verb (used with object)

underlaid, underlaying

1. to lay under or beneath.

2. to provide with something laid underneath; raise or support with something laid underneath.

   The manufacturer underlays the chrome finish with a zinc coating.

3. to extend across the bottom of.

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noun

1. something underlaid.

2. Printing. a piece or pieces of paper put under type or cuts to bring them to the proper height for printing.

underlay British  

verb

1. to place (something) under or beneath

2. to support by something laid beneath

3. to achieve the correct printing pressure all over (a forme block) or to bring (a block) up to type height by adding material, such as paper, to the appropriate areas beneath it

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noun

1. a layer, lining, support, etc, laid underneath something else

2. printing material, such as paper, used to underlay a forme or block

3. felt, rubber, etc, laid beneath a carpet to increase insulation and resilience

Etymology

Origin of underlay

before 900; Middle English underleyen, Old English underlecgan; under-, lay ¹

Example Sentences

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

From Salon

I was excited to get back to the medicine because it’s a kind of performance that is totally integrated — it’s physical, it’s intellectual, it’s emotional, it’s professional, underlaying humanity and reality to it.

From Los Angeles Times

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

It is more breathable but is often installed where a highly-resistant underlay like bitumen felt is already present, stopping vapour from escaping.

From BBC

California created an orchard for the world in large part by tapping into prehistoric aquifers that underlay the Central Valley.

From Los Angeles Times