underlie

[uhn-der-lahy]

verb (used with object)

underlay, underlain, underlying. 

1. to lie under or beneath; be situated under.

2. to be at the basis of; form the foundation of.

3. Grammar.,  to function as the root morpheme or original or basic form of (a derived form).

   The form “boy” underlies “boyish.”

4. Finance.,  to be primary to another right or security.

underlie

/ ˌʌndəˈlaɪ /

verb

1. to lie or be placed under or beneath

2. to be the foundation, cause, or basis of

   careful planning underlies all our decisions

3. finance to take priority over (another claim, liability, mortgage, etc)

   a first mortgage underlies a second

4. to be the root or stem from which (a word) is derived

   "happy" underlies "happiest"

Other Word Forms

• underlier noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of underlie¹

before 900; Middle English underlyen (v.), Old English underlicgan. See under-, lie ²

Example Sentences

Dr. Cohen's research demonstrates that traditional categorical systems fail to reflect underlying biological realities or clinical presentations adequately.

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Current medications can help ease symptoms but do not stop or reverse the underlying disease, highlighting the urgent need for new therapeutic approaches.

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While the evolution of the transformer architecture underlying generative AI such as large language models may have slowed down, developers are creating new forms of hybrid models such as neurosymbolic AI.

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When we understand the underlying mechanisms better, we can pursue therapeutic targets that go beyond the broad immune suppression that is used today.

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The more promising path is to reconsider not how often companies report but how the principles underlying those reports are determined.

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Related Words

• control 
• curb 
• decide 
• determine 
• dominate 
• guide 
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• inhibit 
• manage 
• regulate 
• rule