underlie

From Wiktionary

underlie is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

[change] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ʌndəɻ'laɪ/

[change] Verb

Plain form underlie

Third person singular underlies

Simple past underlay

Past participle underlain

Present participle underlying

1. (transitive) If x underlies y, x causes y; x is the reason for y.

   Poor education underlies much of our crime and violence.

2. (transitive) If x underlies y, x is the basis for y or the most important part of y.

   The basic principle underlying the argument is that we can know what each of the parts is.