U

underlay

verb (used with object), un·der·laid, un·der·lay·ing.

to lay under or beneath.
to provide with something laid underneath; raise or support with something laid underneath: The manufacturer underlays the chrome finish with a zinc coating.
to extend across the bottom of.

noun

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

verb (used with object), un·der·lay, un·der·lain, un·der·ly·ing.

to lie under or beneath; be situated under.
to be at the basis of; form the foundation of.
Grammar. to function as the root morpheme or original or basic form of (a derived form): The form “boy” underlies “boyish.”
Finance. to be primary to another right or security.

verb (ˌʌndəˈleɪ) -lays, -laying or -laid (tr)

to place (something) under or beneath
to support by something laid beneath
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

noun (ˈʌndəˌleɪ)

a layer, lining, support, etc, laid underneath something else
printing material, such as paper, used to underlay a forme or block
felt, rubber, etc, laid beneath a carpet to increase insulation and resilience

verb -lies, -lying, -lay or -lain (tr)

to lie or be placed under or beneath
to be the foundation, cause, or basis ofcareful planning underlies all our decisions
finance to take priority over (another claim, liability, mortgage, etc)a first mortgage underlies a second
to be the root or stem from which (a word) is derived“happy” underlies “happiest”

v.Old English under lecgan “to support by placing something beneath;” see under + lay (v.). Related: Underlaid; underlaying. v.Old English under licgan “to be subordinate to, to submit to;” see under + lie (v.2). Meaning “to lie under or beneath” is attested from c.1600; figurative sense of “to be the basis of” is attested from 1852 (implied in underlying).